Lesson 1: Introduction to Databases, Information and Data Flashcards
ad hoc query
A “spur-of-the-moment” question.
analytical database
A database focused primarily on storing historical data and business metrics used for tactical or strategic decision making.
availability
In the context of data security, it refers to the accessibility of data whenever required by authorized users and for authorized purposes.
centralized database
A database located at a single site.
cloud database
A database that is created and maintained using cloud services, such as Microsoft Azure or Amazon AWS.
data
Raw facts, or facts that have not yet been processed to reveal their meaning to the end user.
data anomaly
A data abnormality in which inconsistent changes have been made to a database. For example, an employee moves, but the address change is not corrected in all files in the database.
data dependence
A data condition in which data representation and manipulation are dependent on the physical data storage characteristics.
data dictionary
A DBMS component that stores metadata—data about data. Thus, the data dictionary contains the data definition as well as their characteristics and relationships. A data dictionary may also include data that are external to the DBMS. Also known as an information resource dictionary. See also active data dictionary, metadata, and passive data dictionary.
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data inconsistency
A condition in which different versions of the same data yield different (inconsistent) results.
data independence
A condition in which data access is unaffected by changes in the physical data storage characteristics.
data integrity
In a relational database, a condition in which the data in the database complies with all entity and referential integrity constraints.
data management
A process that focuses on data collection, storage, and retrieval. Common data management functions include addition, deletion, modification, and listing.
data processing (DP) specialist
The person responsible for developing and managing a computerized file processing system.
data redundancy
Exists when the same data is stored unnecessarily at different places.
database
A shared, integrated computer structure that houses a collection of related data. A database contains two types of data: end-user data (raw facts) and metadata.
database design
The process that yields the description of the database structure and determines the database components. The second phase of the Database Life Cycle.
database management system (DBMS)
The collection of programs that manages the database structure and controls access to the data stored in the database.
database system
An organization of components that defines and regulates the collection, storage, management, and use of data in a database environment.
desktop database
A single-user database that runs on a personal computer.
discipline-specific databases
A database that contains data focused on specific subject areas.
enterprise database
The overall company data representation, which provides support for present and expected future needs.
field
An alphabetic or numeric character or group of characters that defines a characteristic of a person, place, or thing. For example, a person’s Social Security number, address, phone number, and bank balance all constitute fields.