Prelim1 Flashcards
What is data?
Raw facts, or facts that have not yet been processed to reveal their meaning to the end user.
What is information?
The result of processing raw data to reveal its meaning. Information consists of transformed data and facilities decision making.
What is a database?
A shared, integrated computer structure that houses a collection of end-user data and metadata.
What is metadata?
Data about data, through which the end-user data is integrated and managed.
What is a Database Management System (DBMS)?
A collection of programs that manages the database structure and controls access to the data stored in the database.
What is the primary role of a DBMS?
To serve as the intermediary between the user and the database.
List some advantages of DBMS.
- Improved data sharing
- Improved data security
- Better data integration
- Minimized data inconsistency
- Improved data access
- Improved decision making
- Increased end-user productivity
What is a single-user database?
A type of database that supports only one user at a time.
What is a desktop database?
A single user database that runs on a personal computer.
What is a multiuser database?
A type of database that supports multiple users at the same time.
What is an enterprise database?
A type of database that is used by the entire organization and supports many users across many departments.
What is a centralized database?
A type of database that supports data located at a single site.
What is a distributed database?
A type of database that supports data distributed across several different sites.
What is a cloud database?
A database that is created and maintained using cloud services, such as Microsoft Azure or Amazon AWS.
What is a general-purpose database?
A database that contains a wide variety of data used in multiple disciplines.
What is an operational database?
A type of database designed primarily to support a company’s day-to-day operations.
What is an analytical database?
A type of database focused primarily on storing historical data and business metrics used for tactical or strategic decision making.
What does database design refer to?
Activities that focus on the design of the database structure that will be used to store and manage end-user data.
What are some common issues in database design?
- Insufficient specifications and/or poor logical data modeling
- Not enough time in the development schedule
- Too many changes occurring throughout the development cycle
- Database design assigned to, or performed by novices
What is structural dependence?
A data characteristic in which a change in the database schema affects data access, thus requiring changes in all access programs.
What is structural independence?
A data characteristic in which changes in the database schema do not affect data access.
What is data redundancy?
It exists when the same data is stored unnecessarily at different places.
What is data integrity?
The accuracy and consistency of data stored in a database.
What is a data anomaly?
A data abnormality in which inconsistent changes have been made to a database.
Fill in the blank: A __________ database contains data focused on specific subject areas.
[discipline-specific]
True or False: A desktop database can support multiple users at the same time.
False
