data, information and knowledge Flashcards
What is information?
data that has been processed into a meaningful form
What is data?
raw, unanalysed facts
not just alphanumeric
what is knowledge?
capacity to use information for making decision
what is a database?
collection of inter-related data, designed for an organisations information needs
access to accurate, relevant and timely information is important for organisations
What is abstraction?
Process of taking away characteristics of something to reduce it to only essential characteristics.
e.g. Databases are abstractions of real life problems as it only focuses on the necessary parts.
Makes it easier to focus on details rather than implementation.
What are the two types of user databases?
Single user = e.g. excel or access on our personal laptop/phone
mulit-user = company servers/mainframes
What is DBMS?
Data base management system
What is DBMS?
Data Base Management system
- provides necessary access to a database in a secure and sharable way to many people at once
- allows to define, create, maintain and control access to a database.
- provides data dictionary and application programs
What is a data dictionary?
- Description of all structures in a database
- Used to manage and integrate data
- Stores metadata (data about data)
What is a system catalog?
system data dictionary that keeps information about database schemas
What is a database system?
The whole system of a database including the DBMS, application programs, database and dictionaries
What are application programs?
separate programs inside of a database system that interact with the database
e.g. admins and tutors will have different application programs to access the same data
What is data dictionary management?
users create new databses and specify schemas
use data dictionary to retrieve and update data
What is data storage management?
supports/manages data structure for storing large amounts of data for long times
What are database access languages?
Users query and modify data with language
- sophisticated algorithms allow concurrent access for many users at once without compromising integrity
