Databases Flashcards

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1
Q

characteristics of serial files

A
  • data is stored in the order in which it was entered
  • no order to the data is maintained
  • useful for storing transactional data and initialisation files
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2
Q

what are files

A

permanent storage of data

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3
Q

alternative to a series file

A

sequential file

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4
Q

characteristics of a sequential file

A
  • stores data in order of key field
  • this order is maintained when new records are added
  • useful for storing master files
  • index sequential files allow groups of records to be accessed quickly
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5
Q

advantages of databases

A
  • makes processing more efficient
  • reduces storage requirements
  • avoids redundancy
  • allows different users to only see relevant dat
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6
Q

what is the data management system

A
  • an additional layer of software which provides
    • manipulation language to access and change the data
  • integrity to ensure efficiency and structure is not compromised
  • additional security
  • an interface for other programs to access and use the data
  • program/ data independence
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7
Q

examples of DMBs

A

oracle

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8
Q

what is a flat file database

A

allows the user to specify data attributes for only one table at a time, storing those attributes independently, there is no link between the different files

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9
Q

what are relational databases

A

allows the user to specify information about multiple tables and the relationship between those tables

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10
Q

what is a primary key

A
  • a field which identifies the table
  • has to be unique and has to exist
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11
Q

what is normalisation

A

the concept of splitting up tables in a database and arranging the data tk move it from first to second to third normal form

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12
Q

how to get a database into first normal form

A
  • eliminate duplicate columns
  • get rid of any groups of repeating data
  • identify the primary key
  • separate any attributes which are not atomic into separate attributes
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13
Q

what is a composite key

A

a combination of two or more columns in a table that can be used to uniquely identify each row in the table

  • uniqueness is only guaranteed when the columns are combined
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14
Q

how to get a database into second normal form

A
  • check that data is already in 1NF
  • remove any partial dependencies
  • fix any many to many rls
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15
Q

what is a partial dependency

A

means that one or more of the attributes depends on only part of the primary key
- this can only occur when the primary key is a composite key

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16
Q

what should we do if we find a partial dependency

A

split the table on that attribute and move it to a separate table

17
Q

what are the issues with a many to many relationship

A

Without proper normalization, many-to-many relationships can lead to data redundancy and inconsistencies.

18
Q

how to solve the many to many relationship issue

A

create a linking table

19
Q

how to get database into third normal form

A
  • check data is in second normal form
  • check there are no non key dependencies
20
Q

what is a non key dependency

A

where the value of an attribute is determined by an attribute which is not part of the key

21
Q

aim of normalisation

A

to make a databse more efficient by removing redundant/repetitive data