Database Systems Flashcards

1
Q

What are the characteristics of data in today’s world?

A

Ubiquitous
Pervasive

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2
Q

What do databases make data?

A

They make data persistent and shareable in a secure way

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3
Q

What are databases?

A

They are specialized structures that allow computer-based systems to store, manage, and retrieve data very quickly

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4
Q

What does data consist of?

A

It consists of raw facts that are not yet processed to reveal its meaning to the end user

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5
Q

What does information result from?

A

It results from the processing of raw data to reveal its meaning

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6
Q

What is end-user data?

A

It is the raw facts of interest to the end user

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7
Q

What is metadata?

A

It is data about data, through which the end-user data is integrated and managed

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8
Q

What are database management systems?

A

They are a collection of programs that manage the database structure and controls access to data stored in the database

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9
Q

What does the database management system do for the user?

A

It enables data to be shared
Presents the en-user with an integrated view of data
Provides more efficient and effective data management
Improves sharing, security, integration, access, decision-making, productivity, etc

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10
Q
A
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11
Q

What does a single-user database do?

A

It supports one user at a time

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12
Q

What does a multiuser database do?

A

It supports multiple users at the same time

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13
Q

What is a centralized database?

A

It is data located at a single site

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14
Q

What is a distributed database?

A

It is data distributed across different sites

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15
Q

What is a cloud database?

A

It is a database that is created and maintained using cloud data services that provide defined performance measures for the database

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16
Q

What is a general-purpose database?

A

It contains a wide variety of data used in multiple disciplines

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17
Q

What is a discipline-specific database?

A

It is a database that contains data focused on specific subject areas

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18
Q

What is an operational database?

A

It is a database that is designed to support a company’s day-to-day operations

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19
Q

What is an analytical database?

A

It is a database that stores historical data and business metrics used exclusively for tactical or strategic decision making

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20
Q

What is a data warehouse?

A

It stores data obtained from the operational databases in a format optimized for decision support

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21
Q

What is online analytical processing?

A

They are tools for retrieving, processing, and modeling data from the data warehouse

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22
Q

What is unstructured data?

A

It is data that exists in its original (raw) state

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23
Q

What is structured data?

A

It is data that results from formatting

24
Q

What is semistructured data?

A

It is data that is processed to some extent

25
Q

What is an extensible markup language?

A

It represents data elements in textual format

26
Q

Why is database design important?

A

It is important because the design of database structure will be used to store and manage end-user data

27
Q

What does a well designed database do?

A

It facilitates data management and generates accurate and valuable information

28
Q

What does a poorly designed database do?

A

It causes difficult-to-trace errors that may lead to poor decision making

29
Q

What is a manual file system?

A

It is a systems of file folders and filing cabinets

30
Q

What is a computerized file system?

A

It is a system created by a data processing specialist to track data and produce required reports

31
Q

What is a file system redux?

A

It is a modern end-user productivity tool that includes spreadsheet programs such as excel

32
Q

What are the problems with file system data processing?

A

Lengthy development times
Difficulty of getting quick answers
Complex system administration
Lack of security and limited data sharing
Extensive programming

33
Q

What is structural dependence?

A

It is when a file is dependent on its own structure
All file system programs are modified to conform to a new file structure

34
Q

What is structural independence?

A

It is when the file structure is changed without affecting the application’s ability to access the data

35
Q

What is data dependence?

A

It is data that goes through access changes when the data storage characteristics change

36
Q

What is data independence?

A

It is when the data storage characteristics are changed without affecting the program’s ability to access data

37
Q

What is a logical data format?

A

It is the way a person views data within the context of a problem domain

38
Q

What is the physical data format?

A

It is the way a computer “sees” data

39
Q

What are the problems with file system data processing?

A

Unnecessarily storing the same data at different places:
Islands of information (i.e., scattered data locations)
Increases the probability of having different versions of the same data
Possible results of uncontrolled data redundancy:
Poor data security
Data inconsistency
Data-entry errors
Data integrity problems
Develop when not all of the required changes in the redundant data are made successfully:
Update anomalies
Insertion anomalies
Deletion anomalies

40
Q

Where is logically related data stored?

A

It is stored in a single data repository

41
Q

What is a database system?

A

It is the organization of components that define and regulate the collection, storage, management, and use of data within a database environment

42
Q

What is hardware?

A

All of the system’s physical devices

43
Q

What is software?

A

Operating system, DBMS, Application programs

44
Q

What are do people do with data?

A

System administrators, database administrators, database designers, system analysts and programmers, end users

45
Q

What are the last two factors of the database system environment

A

Procedures
Data

46
Q

What is a data dictionary?

A

It stores definitions of data elements and their relationships

47
Q

What is data performance managment?

A

Performance tuning ensures efficient performance

48
Q

What is data transformation and presentation?

A

Data is formatted to conform to logical expectations

49
Q

What is security management?

A

Enforces user security and data privacy

50
Q

What is multiuser access control?

A

It is the sophisticated algorithms that ensure that multiple users can access the database concurrently without compromising its integrity

51
Q

What is backup and recovery management?

A

Enables recovery of the database after a failure

52
Q

What is data integrity management?

A

Minimizes redundancy and maximizes consistency

53
Q

What is a query language?

A

Lets the user specify what must be done without having to specify how

54
Q

What is a structured query language?

A

It is the de facto query language and data access standard supported by the majority of DBMS vendors

55
Q

What are database communication interfaces?

A

Accept end-user requests via multiple, different network environments

56
Q

What are the disadvantages of database systems?

A

Increased costs
Management complexity
Maintaining currency
Vendor dependence
Frequent upgrade/replacement cycles