Answers the questions with pair as given.

1- Define each of the following terms: - data: field: record: file

Data: Data is a raw fact, such as a telephone number, a birth date, a customer name,
and a year-to-date sales value. Data have little meaning unless they have been
organized in some logical manner.
Field: A character or a group of characters (alphabetic or numeric) that has a specific
meaning. A field is used to define and store data.
Record: A logically connected a set of one or more fields that describes a person, a
place, or thing. For example, the fields that constitute a record for a customer might
consist of the customers name, address, phone number, date of birth and unpaid
balance.
File: A collection of related records. For example, a file might contain data about the
students currently enrolled at Gigantic University.
2-What is data redundancy, and which characteristics of the file system can lead to it?
Data redundancy A condition that exists when a data environment contains redundant
(unnecessarily duplicated) data. Data redundancy is exits when the same data are
stored unnecessarily at different places.
3-What is data independence, and why is it lacking in file systems?
Data independence A condition that exists when data access is unaffected by the
changes in the physical data storage characteristics. Data independence is exits when it
is possible to make changes in the data storage characteristics without affecting the
applications programs ability to access the data. In file systems, any change to a file
structure, no matter how minor, forces modifications in all of the programs that use the
data in that file.
4-What is a DBMS, and what are its functions?
DBMS is a collection of programs that manages the database structure and controls
access to the data stored in the database. Functions:
a) Data dictionary management: the DBMS stores definitions of the data elements and their
relationships (metadata) in data dictionary.

b) Data store management: the DBMS creates and manages the complex structures
required for data storage, thus relieving you from the difficult task of defining and
programming the physical data characteristics.
c) Security management: the DBMS creates a security system that enforces user security
and data privacy.

5-What is structural independence, and why is it important?

Structural independence is exits when it is possible that changes to the file structure will not
require modifying file system programs to conform to the new changes.ible to make changes
in the file structure without affecting the application programs to access the data. It is
important because even changes in the characteristics of data, such as changing a field from
integer to decimal, require changes in all the programs that access the file. So that changes
to the file structure will not require modifying file system programs to conform to the new
changes.

6-Explain the difference between data and information.

Data

Information

Data is a raw facts

Information is the result of processing data

The word raw indicates that the facts have

To reveal meaning, information requires

not been processed to reveal meaning

context

Eg: suppose that you want to know what

Eg: an average temperature reading of 105

the users of computers think of its services.

degrees does not mean much unless you

Typically, you would begin by surveying

also know its context. Is this degrees or

users to assess computer labs

celcius ?

performance.

7-What is the role of a DBMS, and what are its advantages? What are disadvantages?
The DBMS serves as the intermediary between the user and the database. The
database itself is collection of files, and the only way to access the data in those files is
through the DBMS. DBMS presents the end user (or application program) with a single,

integrated view of the data in the database. The DBMS receives all application requests and
translate them into the complex operations required to fulfil those requests. The DBMS
hides much of the databases internal complexity from the application programs and users.
DBMS provides advantages such as:

Improved data sharing. The DBMS helps create an environment in which end users
have better access to more data and better managed data. Such access makes it
possible for end users to respond quickly to changes in their environment.

Improved data security. The more user access the data, the greater the risks of data
security breaches. Corporations invest considerable amounts of time, effort, and
money to ensure that corporate data are used properly. A DBMS provides a
framework for better enforcement of data privacy and security policies.

Better data integration. Wider access to well managed data promotes an integrated
view of the organizations operation and a clearer view of the big picture. It becomes
much easier to see how actions in one segment of the company affect other
segments.

Minimized data inconsistency. Data inconsistency exists when different versions of

the same data appear in different places.

Improved data access. The DBMS makes it possible to produce quick answers to ad
hoc queries.

Improved decision making. Better managed data and improved data access make it
possible to generate better quality information, on which better decisions are based.

Increased end user productivity. The availability of data, combined with the tools
that transform data into usable information, empowers end users to make quick,
informed decisions that can make the difference between success and failure in the
global economy.

Disadvantages:

Increased costs

Management complexity

Maintaining currency

Vendor dependence

Frequent upgrade/replacement cycles

8-List and describe the differently types of databases.

Single user database: supports only one user at a time.

Desktop database: A single user database that runs on a personal computer.

Multiuser database: Multiple users at a time.

Workgroup database: When the multiuser database supports a relatively small

number

of users (usually fewer than 50) or a specific department within an

organization.

Enterprise database: When the database is used by the entire organization and
supports

many users (more than 50, usually hundreds) across many

departments.

Centralized database: A database that supports data located at a single site.

Distributed database: A database that supports data distributed and the way in
which

such distribution is managed.

Operational database (Transactional or production database): A database that is

designed primarily to support a companys day-to-day operations

Data warehouse: Focuses primarily on storing data used to generate information

required to make tactical or strategic decisions.

Unstructured data: Data that exist in their original (raw) state, that is, in the format
in which they were collected.

Structured data: The result of taking unstructured data and formatting

(structuring) such data to facilitate storage, use, and the generation of
information.

Semi structured data: Data that have already been processed to some extent.

Extensible Markup Language (XML): A special language used to represent and

manipulate data elements in a textual format.

XML Database: Supports the storage and management of semistructured XML

data.

9-What are the main components of a database system?

Hardware. Hardware refers to all of the systems physical devices; for example,
computer (microcomputers, workstations, servers, and supercomputers), storage
devices, printers, network devices (hubs, switches, routers, fibre optics), and other
devices (automated teller machines, ID readers, and so on).

Software. Although the most readily identified software is the DBMS itself, to make
the database system function fully, three types of software are needed: operating
system software, DBMS software, and application program and utilities.

People. This component includes all users of the database systems. On the basis of
primary job functions, five types of users can be identified in database systems:
system administrators, database administrators, database designers, system
analysts and programmers, and end users.

Procedures. Procedures are the instructions and rules that govern the design and
use of the database system.

Data. The word data covers all collection of facts stored in the database.

10. What are metadata?

Metadata - data about data, through which the end user data are integrated and
managed. The metadata provide a description of the data characteristics and set of
relationships that links the data found within the database. In short, metadata present more
complete picture of the data in the database.

11-Explain why database design is important.

Database design refers to the activities that focus on the design of the database
structure that will be used to store and manage end - user data. Proper database design
requires the designer to identify precisely the databases expected use. The design of a data
warehouse database recognizes the use of historical and aggregated data. A well
designed database facilitates data management and generates accurate and valuable
information. A poorly designed database likely to become a breeding ground for difficult to
trace errors that may lead to bad decision making and bad decision making can lead to
the failure of an organization.
12-What are the potential costs of implementing a database system?

Hardware: We need something for it to live on. This could either be bought, or hired.

Maintenance: The system will at some point require updating - costs of this will need
to be considered. There will also be essential maintenance from time to time
although this may be covered under your contract if you get an external company to
do it for you .If you own the hardware then you will also have to consider staffing to
do the maintenance part - does your team have the skills or do you need another.

Software: Lots of free software lots of expensive software - what are we going to use
and what the best for the job are for it.

Location: In the location, where and which part the earth should our system be
operates from is very import, though in the case of database technologies most are
hosted online in the means one can operate from anywhere or part of the earth. But
is very important to consider the location of system source.

13. What are some basic database functions that a spreadsheet cannot perform? Please
refer this link to answer this question: http://blnds.co/1FHf2Nf.
Spreadsheets do not support basic functionality such as:

To support for self-documentation through metadata

Enforcement of data types to ensure consistency of data within a column

Defined relationships among tables

Prepared by:
1. NUR AZMINA SALIMI BT UZAIR (2013667834)
2. NUR SYAZIRAWANIS BT MOHD ROSLI

(2013896402)