Class 2 Flashcards
What is a DBMS?
A collection of programs that enables users to store, modify, and extract information from a database.
What is a Database?
A collection of files or entities containing information to support a given system or a particular topic area.
Describe the levels of data within a Database.
- Database
- File
- Record
- Field
- Data Item
Explain the file approach to storing data.
Each application has its own set of files, leading to inflexibility and uncontrolled redundancy.
Delete
Fill in the blank: A _______ is a unique attribute used to identify a single instance of an entity.
Primary Key
What is a Relational Database Model?
A way to organize data into two-dimensional tables called relations, where rows represent entities and columns represent attributes.
What is the difference between logical design and physical design in database modeling?
- Logical design: Abstract model of data structure.
- Physical design: Fine-tunes logical design for performance and cost.
What is a compound key?
A composite key where each attribute that makes up the key is a simple foreign key in its own right.
What is a binary digit?
A basic unit of information that represents a state of either on or off.
What is the basic building block of information?
Character.
What are the key attributes in a database?
Name, Key, Data Type, Valid Value
Attributes help define how data is structured and enforced within the database.
What does normalization in databases refer to?
The process of organizing data to reduce redundancy and improve data integrity.
What is a primary key?
A unique identifier for a record in a database table.
What is a foreign key?
A field in one table that uniquely identifies a row of another table.
What is the relationship between data fields in a relational database?
Data fields are grouped into tables based on relationships, such as one-to-one or one-to-many.
In the context of DBMS, what is transaction management?
The process of ensuring that database transactions are completed successfully and maintaining data integrity.
What is the difference between selecting and projecting in database manipulation?
Selecting eliminates rows based on criteria; projecting eliminates columns in a table.
What is the function of a report in a DBMS?
To extract and format information from a database for printing and presentation.
What does the term ‘valid value’ refer to in database attributes?
The format or range of numbers allowed for a specific attribute.
What does QBE stand for?
Query by Example
What is the significance of field attributes in a database?
Field attributes define the characteristics and constraints of the data stored in each column.
What is the role of application programming interfaces in DBMS?
To facilitate communication between the database and application programs.
What are the components of a Management Information System (MIS) using MS Access?
Database design schema
Application interface screens
Menus and reports
Control mechanisms
What does a Database (Application) System consist of?
The combination of the database, the DBMS, and the application programs that access the database.
What is a Management Information System (MIS)?
The database system coupled with a set of hardware, software, telecommunications, people, and procedures.
What are the three characteristics of Big Data?
Volume, Velocity, Variety.
What are Data Warehouses?
Large databases that collect business information from many sources to support management decision making.
What does ETL stand for in data processing?
Extract, Transform, Load.
What is a Data Mart?
A subset of a data warehouse that is used by small- and medium-sized businesses to support decision making.
What is a Data Lake?
A storage system that keeps all data in its raw and unaltered form.
True or False: A Data Mart contains all data relevant to the entire organization.
False.
