DATABASE ESSENTIALS
Lecture 1
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INTRODUCTION
• A database is a structured collection of data that is
organized and stored in a way that allows efficient
retrieval, management, and manipulation of
information.
INTRODUCTION…
• Life without a database
INTRODUCTION…
• Life without a database
manual file system
INTRODUCTION…
Traditional File-processing system
• Refers to a system whereby computer files were used
to store the data.
• Each unit or department in an organization has its own
set of separate files.
• The data in one file may not relate to the data in any
other file.
INTRODUCTION…
Traditional File-processing system
INTRODUCTION…
Disadvantages of traditional file-processing system
• Data redundancy
✓this leads to higher storage and access cost
• Data inconsistency
✓mismatch of various copies of the same data
• Difficulty in accessing data
✓takes much time to access accurate data
INTRODUCTION…
Disadvantages of traditional file-processing system
• Data isolation
✓data are scattered in different files. Files may also be in
different formats
INTRODUCTION…
Disadvantages of traditional file-processing system
• Atomicity problems
✓Atomicity is DB transaction property where all the actions
within the transaction are executed as a single, indivisible
unit of work.
✓It ensures that the transaction is either fully completed or
fully rolled back to the state it was in before the
transaction began.
INTRODUCTION…
Disadvantages of traditional file-processing system
• Atomicity
INTRODUCTION…
• The purpose of database systems is to eliminate the
disadvantages of file-processing system
INTRODUCTION…
• A database management system (DBMS) is a
program(s) used to create, process, store, retrieve,
control and manage the data.
• DBMS acts as an interface between the user and the
data stored in the database.
INTRODUCTION
• A database and a DBMS
DATA VS INFORMATION
• Data
• raw facts from which the required information is
produced.
• Information
• refined or processed data.
• consists of images, text, documents and voice in a
meaningful content.
DATA VS INFORMATION…
Attributes of information.
• Accuracy
• Timeliness
• Relevancy
DATA VS INFORMATION…
Attributes of information.
• Accuracy
✓information is free from errors, and it clearly and
accurately reflects the meaning of data on which it is
based.
✓free from bias and conveys an accurate picture to
the recipient.
DATA VS INFORMATION…
Attributes of information.
• Timeliness
✓the recipients receive the information when they need it
and within the required time frame.
• Relevancy
✓usefulness of the piece of information for the
corresponding persons.
DATABASE SYSTEM APPLICATIONS
• The earliest database systems dates back to 1960s.
• Both the old and new database systems have a
common factor, which is data.
• Data is the central aspect of every database system.
• Most corporations are valuable because of the
information they own.
DATABASE SYSTEM APPLICATIONS…
• Database systems are used to manage collections of
data that:
• are highly valuable
• are relatively large
• are accessed by multiple users and applications, often at
the same time
DATABASE SYSTEM APPLICATIONS…
• Early databases were maintained as back-office
systems with which users interacted via printed reports
and paper forms for input.
• End users interact with current databases via user
interfaces.
✓ This has enabled both the client and the enterprise to
interact much more easier.
✓Example: ATMs
DATABASE SYSTEM APPLICATIONS…
Modes in which databases can be used.
• support online transaction processing
• support data analytics
DATABASE SYSTEM APPLICATIONS…
Supporting online transaction processing
• In this mode, users retrieve relatively small amounts of
data and performing small updates.
• This is the primary mode of use for the vast majority of
users.
DATABASE SYSTEM APPLICATIONS…
Supporting data analytics
• In this mode, a database is used in processing of data
to draw conclusions.
• The obtained conclusions can be used to make business
decisions.
DBMS USERS
• End users
✓Deal with the database at the terminal end
• Application programmers
✓Develop the applications in different languages to
interact with database
• System Analysts
✓Responsible for overall technical, economical and
feasibility aspects of the DBMS.
DBMS USERS
• Database administrator
✓Takes care of DBMS policies and strategies.
• Sophisticated Users
✓SQL programmers, who deal directly with the
database.
✓They write queries to delete/select/insert and update
the database.
The best way to predict your
future is to create it –
Abraham Lincoln
