Understanding databases

Question 1

Name six problems a database solves.

Answer 1

1. Size (scalable)
2. Ease of updating
3. Accuracy (integrity)
4. Security
5. Redundancy (integrity)
6. Importance

Question 2

Is the main advantage of databases that they give you a place to store data? If not, what is?

Answer 2

No. Databases are about allowing data to grow and still be manageable. They provide structure for your data based on your rules. They are not just somewhere to store data.

Question 3

What is the true power of a database?

Answer 3

That it’s invisible. Everything happens in the background: the security, the data integrity, that many people are accessing it at the same time, that it’s backed up, etc.

Question 4

What is a DBMS?

Answer 4

A DBMS is a database management system. A DBMS manages databases. A DBMS is NOT a database.

Question 5

What is the most common type of DBMS? Give three examples.

Answer 5

A relational database management system (RDBMS) is the most common type of DBMS. Oracle, SQL server, DB2, and MySQL are examples.