Unit 1 : Introduction

Question 1

What is data? ( 2 )

Answer 1

1. Raw facts, building blocks of information
2. Unprocessed information

Question 2

What is information?

Answer 2

1. Data processed to reveal meaning

Question 3

Fill in the blanks
___ , ____, and _____, information is key to good ______, decision making

Answer 3

1. Accurate
2. Relevant
3. Timely
4. Decision

• Good decision making is the key to survival in global environment

Question 4

What is Database?

Answer 4

1. Shared, integrated computer structure

• Shared means that it is accessible to multiple users or applications simultaneously
• Integrated means that it combines data from various sources into a single, cohesive structure to provide a unified view of information, eliminatiing redundancy and ensuring consistency

Question 5

What does database stores ? ( 2 )

Answer 5

1. End user data ( raw facts, data )
2. Metadata ( data about data )

• Example about metadata : EmployeeID itself is a piece of data, which tells us to store employee id number, this is a part of the metadata because it provides a description of what the data in that column represents

Question 6

What is a DBMS and its main functions? ( 2 )

Answer 6

1. It is a collection of programs that manages the database structure and controls access to data
2. Manages the database structure and controls access to data

Question 7

Can data be shared among multiple applications or users in a DBMS?

Answer 7

1. Yes

Question 8

How does DBMS benefit data management?

Answer 8

1. It makes data management more efficient and effective

Question 9

How does a DBMS benefit end users?

Answer 9

1. They have better access to more and better-managed data

Question 10

How does a DBMS affect the view of an organization’s operations? ( Role and Advantages of the DBMS )

Answer 10

1. It promotes integrated view of organization’s operations

Question 11

What impact does a DBMS have on data inconsistency? ( Role and Advantages of the DBMS )

Answer 11

1.It was greatly reduced with DBMS

Question 12

How does DBMS handle ad hoc queries? ( Role and Advantages of the DBMS )

Answer 12

1. DBMS makes it possible to produce quick answers to ad hoc queries

Question 13

What is ad hoc queries?

Answer 13

1. Is a query that is created on the fly to answer a specific question of obtain a particular piece of information from a database
   - ad hoc means needed

• Example for an ad hoc queries

SELECT LastName, FirstName
FROM Person.Person;

Question 14

What is the benefits of ad hoc queries?

Answer 14

1. Quick Response
   
   • Allow users to get answers quickly without waiting for a pre-built report
2. Customization
   
   • Users can ask a very specific questions that a standard report might not cover

Question 15

How can we classified the types of location? ( 3 )

Answer 15

1. Location
2. User
3. Use

Question 16

List out all the types of databases ( classified by user )and a simple description ( 5 )

Answer 16

1. Single-User
   
   • Supports one user at a time
2. Desktop
   
   • Single-user database running on a personal computer
3. Multi-User
   
   • Supports multiple users at the same time
4. Workgroup
   
   • Multi-user database that supports a small group of usrs or a single department
5. Enterprise
   
   • Multi-user database that supports a large group of users or an entire organization

Question 17

List out all the types of databases ( classified by location ) and a simple description ( 2 )

Answer 17

1. Centralized
   
   • Data located at a single site
2. Distributed
   
   • Data distributed across several sites

Question 18

List out all the types of databases ( classified by use ) and a simple description ( 2 )

Answer 18

1. Transactional ( Production )
2. Data Warehouse
   
   • Used to generate information required to make tactical or strategic decisions

Question 19

What does Data Warehouse usually store?

Answer 19

1. Historical Data

Question 20

What database structure is quite different?

Answer 20

1. Data Warehouse

Question 21

Which database supports company’s day-to-day operations?

Answer 21

1. Transactional ( Production ) Database

Question 22

Which database stores data used to generate information required to make tactical or strategic decisions?

Answer 22

1. Data Warehouse