Chapter 1

Database Systems
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 Outline

• The difference between data and information

• What a database is, the various types of
databases
• The importance of database design
• How modern databases evolved from file systems
• The main components of the database system
• The main functions of a database management
system (DBMS)
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 Data vs. Information
Data Information
• Raw facts  Produced by processing data
• Raw data - Not yet been  Reveals the meaning of data
processed to reveal the  Enables knowledge creation
meaning
 Should be accurate, relevant,
• Building blocks of information and timely to enable good
• Data management decision making
• A process that focus on
generation, storage, and
retrieval of data

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http://www.differencebetween.info/difference-between-data-and-information
Data vs. Information (cont..)

Refer to Fig 1.2, pp. 5

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Introducing the Database
• Shared, integrated computer structure that stores a
collection of related data

End-user data - Raw facts of interest to end

Metadata: Data about data, which the end-user data are
integrated and managed
- Describe data characteristics and relationships that links
the data found within the database
• Database management system (DBMS)
• Collection of programs
• Manages the database structure
• Controls access to data stored in the database
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 DBMS

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http://www.bbc.co.uk/education/guides/zb2hgk7/revision
Introducing the Database (cont..)

Figure 1.3 - The DBMS Manages the Interaction between the End User and the
Database
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Introducing the Database (cont..)

Role of the DBMS

• Intermediary between the user and the database
• Enables data to be shared
• Presents the end user with an integrated view of
the data
• Receives and translates application requests into
operations required to fulfil the requests
• Hides database’s internal complexity from the
application programs and users
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Introducing the Database (cont..)
Advantages of the DBMS

Better data integration and less data

inconsistency

Increased end-user productivity

Improvement in terms of data sharing, data

security, data access, and data quality (for
decision making)
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 Types of Databases
Databases can be classified by:

Number of Type of Intended Structured

Data
users stored data data
location
supported data usage degree

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Types of Databases (cont..)

• Single-user database: Supports one

user at a time
• Desktop database: Runs on PC

Number • Multi-user database: Supports

of users multiple users at the same time
supported
• Workgroup databases: Supports a
small number of users or a specific
department
• Enterprise database: Supports many
users across many departments

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 Types of Databases (cont..)

• Centralized database: Data is

located at a single site
• Distributed database: Data is
distributed across different sites
Data • Cloud database: Created and
maintained using cloud data services
location that provide defined performance
measures (data storage capacity,
required throughput, availability) for
the database

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 Types of Databases (cont..)

• General-purpose databases:
Contains a wide variety of data
used in multiple disciplines
Type • Eg: LexisNexis, ProQuest
of • Discipline-specific databases:
stored Contains data focused on
data specific subject areas – mainly
used for research purpose
• e.g: CompuStat, GIS, medical

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Types of Databases (cont..)

• Operational database: Designed to support

a company’s day-to-day operations
• Analytical database: Stores historical data
and business metrics used exclusively for
tactical or strategic decision making
• Data warehouse: Contains historical data
Data from operational database and other
usage external sources
• Online analytical processing (OLAP) :
Enable retrieving, processing, and modeling
data from the data warehouse

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 Types of Databases (cont..)

• Unstructured data: It exists in

their original state
• Structured data: It results from
formatting
Structured
data • Structure is applied based on
degree type of processing to be
performed
• Semi-structured data:
Processed to some extent

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Types of Databases (cont..)

• Social media – web and mobile technologies that

enable “anywhere, anytime, always on” human
interaction.
• NoSQL (Not only SQL)
• New generation of DBMS that is not based on
the traditional relational database model

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 Why Database Design is
Important?
• Focuses on the design of the database structure
that will be used to store and manage end-user
data
• Well-designed database
• Facilitates data management
• Generates accurate and valuable information
• Poorly designed database causes difficult-to-trace
errors
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Why Database Design is Important? (cont…)

Refer to Fig 1.4, pp. 12

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Why Database Design is Important? (cont…)

Refer to Fig 1.5, pp. 13

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 Evolution of File System Data
Processing
Manual File Systems
Accomplished through a system of file folders and filing cabinets

Computerized File Systems

Data processing (DP) specialist: Created a computer-based system that would track data and
produce required reports

File System Redux: Modern End-User Productivity Tools

Includes spreadsheet programs such as Microsoft Excel enabled users to conduct sophisticated
data analysis which helps them understanding data and make better decisions
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 Evolution of File System Data Processing
(cont…)

Manual file systems

Filing cabinet by
ten boxes by Jenny Spadafora (CC
mightymightymatze (CC BY-NC)
BY-NC-SA)
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 Evolution of File System Data Processing
(cont…)
Computerized File Systems

Figure1.6 - A Simple File System 23

 Evolution of File System Data Processing
(cont…)

Computerized File Systems

Table 1.2 - Basic File Terminology

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 Evolution of File System Data Processing
(cont…)

File system Redux: Modern End-User Productivity Tools

A sample of spreadsheet 25
Problems with File System Data
Processing
Lengthy development times

Difficulty of getting quick answers

Complex system administration

Lack of security and limited data
sharing
Extensive programming
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 Problems with File System Data Processing
(cont…)

Structural Dependence
• Structural dependence: Access to a file is
dependent on its own structure
• All file system programs are modified to
conform to a new file structure
• Structural independence: File structure is changed
without affecting the application’s ability to access
the data

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 Problems with File System Data Processing
(cont…)

Data Dependence
• Data dependence
• Data access changes when data storage
characteristics change
• Data independence
• Data storage characteristics is changed without
affecting the program’s ability to access the
data

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Problems with File System Data Processing
(cont…)

Data Redundancy
• Unnecessarily storing same data at different places
• Islands of information: Scattered data locations
• Increases the probability of having different versions of
the same data
• Data redundancy implications
• Poor data security
• Data inconsistency (lack data integrity)
• Increased likelihood of data-entry errors when complex
entries are made in different files 29
 Problems with File System Data Processing
(cont…)

Data Anomaly
Data anomaly: Develops when not all of the required changes in the
redundant data are made successfully
• Type of anomalies (refer to pp. 15):
• Update anomalies- eg: Update Leah HP no
• Insertion anomalies - how to add new agent without customer?
• Deletion anomalies - eg: to delete customer, also delete agent.

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 Database Systems

• Logically related data stored in a single logical data

repository
• Data repository appears to be a single unit to end user even though
the data might be physically distributed among multiple storage
facilities
• DBMS eliminates most of file system’s problems
• Current generation DBMS software:
• Stores data structures, relationships between
structures, and access paths
• Defines, stores, and manages all access paths and
components
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 Database Systems (cont…)

Figure 1.8 - Contrasting Database and File Systems

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 Database Systems (cont…)
The database system is composed of five major parts :
hardware, software, people, procedures and data

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Figure 1.9 - The Database System Environment
 Database Systems (cont…)

DBMS Functions
Data
dictionary Data dictionary: Stores definitions of
management the data elements and their
relationships
Data storage
management Performance tuning: Ensures efficient
performance of the database in terms
of storage and access speed
Data
transformation Transforms entered data to conform to
and required data structures
presentation
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 Database Systems (cont…)

DBMS Functions

Security
management Enforces user security and data privacy

Multiuser
access Sophisticated algorithms ensure that multiple
control users can access the database concurrently
without compromising its integrity

Backup and
recovery Enables recovery of the database after a
management failure
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 Database Systems (cont…)

DBMS Functions
Data integrity Minimizes redundancy and maximizes consistency
management

Database Query language: Lets the user specify what must be done without
access having to specify how
languages and
application
programming Structured Query Language (SQL): De facto query language and
interfaces data access standard supported by the majority of DBMS vendors

Database Accept end-user requests via multiple, different network

communication environments
interfaces

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 Database Systems (cont…)
Disadvantages of Database Systems

Increased costs

Management complexity

Maintaining currency

Vendor dependence

Frequent upgrade/replacement cycles

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