Review questions – Database for business

1. Explain what the data resource is and why it is so important in today’s organizations.

The data resource consists of the facts and information an organization gathers while conducting
business and in order to conduct business at all levels of the organization. The data resource’s
components include numeric, text, audio, video, and graphical data collected both within the
organization and from sources external to it, as well as the metadata, which describe the business and
technical characteristics of the data resource.

2. What is a data model? What does it contain? What are the objectives of data modeling? What are
some different approaches to data modeling? What are the benefits of using packaged data models?

-A key element in the effective management of data is an overall map for business data, which is called a
data model. A data model shows rules by which the organization operates.

–Data modeling involves both a methodology and a notation. The methodology includes the steps that
are followed to identify and describe organizational data entities, and the notation is a way to show
these findings, usually graphically. -

-An alternative approach to data modeling, which overcomes the difficulties of starting from a clean
sheet of paper, is to begin not within the organization but rather from outside, using a generic data
model developed for situations similar to your own. So-called universal, logical, or packaged data
models have been developed from years of experience in different industries or business areas.

-Such prepackaged corporate data models have several significant advantages, including the following:
• Data models can be developed using proven components evolved from cumulative experiences. •
Projects take less time and cost less because the essential components and structures are already
defined and only need to be quickly customized to the particular situation. • Because prepackaged data
models are developed from best practices, your data model is easier to evolve as additional data
requirements are identified for the given situation. • Adaptation of a data model from your DBMS
vendor usually means that your data model will easily work with other applications from this same
vendor or their software partners. • A prepackaged data model provides a starting point for asking
requirements questions that will help to surface unspoken requirements. • Prepackaged data models
use structures that promote holistic and flexible, rather than narrow and rigid, views of data in an
organization, thus promoting managing data as an organizational resource. • If multiple companies in
the same industry use the same universal data model as the basis for their organizational databases, it
may be easier to share data for

3. What are metadata? Why is it important to manage metadata?

Metadata is "data that provides information about other data". In short, it's data about data. Creating
and maintaining high-quality metadata takes dedication, yet we cannot insure quality data without
quality metadata.

4. What are some examples of database programming languages? How do these languages interact
with other programming languages?

The most common database 4 GL is SQL. Also: COBOL, XML, Java, JavaScript, C#, C++, PHP, Python etc.
5. Why do organizations often have several databases?

Organizations often have several databases because many different applications require a database with
a particular set of database objects, known as a schema.

6. What are the different types of databases? How do they differ?

Hierarchical databases, Network databases, Relational databases. Object-oriented databases. Graph

databases. ER model databases. Document databases. NoSQL databases.

7. Describe some schemes for identifying data at different levels. Why is it important to have such
schemes?

Schemes for understanding levels of data:

- Local data are those that have relevance to only a single user or small group of organization members.
Local data generally do not need extensive control and do not need to follow organizational standards.
Local data may have limited life and use, and it is acceptable that local data may be duplicated (and
inconsistent) across the organization.
- Shared data are those that are exchanged between different user groups, and hence there must be
agreements on the definition, format, and timing for exchange of these data among those sharing the
data. Shared data exist because of a dependency between different organizational units or functions.
- Core data are those that require an organization wide definition and sourcing (in other words, core
data is enterprise-shared data). There may be one copy of core data, but if there are multiple copies, the
creation of these copies are carefully planned and managed.

*These and other schemes for considering levels of data are useful because they allow us to focus on
specific aspects of data without having to consider all the aspects at once.

8. Define application independence.

Application Independence – The separation of data and the definition of data from the applications that
use these data. When treated separately, data are not locked inside applications, where their meaning
and structure are hidden from other applications that also require these data.

9. What are the differences between data capture, data transfer, and data analysis and presentation
applications?

Data capture applications gather data and populate the database. They store and maintain data in the
data pyramid.

Data transfer and integration applications move data from one database to another or otherwise bring
together data from various databases to meet some processing need. These applications are often
called bridges or interfaces because they connect related databases.’

Data analysis and presentation applications provide data and information to authorized persons. Data
might be summarized, compared to history, reformulated into graphs, or inserted into documents being
developed using a word processor.

10. Define disposable applications.

A significant result of application independence is the creation of disposable applications. In many
organizations, older systems cannot be eliminated or easily rewritten because applications and data are
so intertwined. When the presentation capabilities of an application system become obsolete, but the
application also maintains data that are essential to the business, an inefficient system might have to be
kept alive only for its data access capabilities. With application independence, a company can replace
the capture, transfer, and presentation software modules separately when necessary.

11. Describe the issues central to insuring the quality of the data resource.

The five types of data standards that must be established for a business to insure the quality of the data
resources: identifier, naming, definition, integrity rules, and usage rights.

12. What is master data management? What are the benefits of MDM?

Master data management (MDM)refers to the disciplines, technologies, and methods to ensure the
currency, meaning, and quality of reference data within and across various subject areas. MDM ensures
that everyone knows the current description of a product, the current salary of an employee, and the
current billing address of a customer. MDM does not address sharing transactional data, such as
customer purchases.

13. What is data administration, and what are the key functions of this role?

To better manage data, many organizations have created a unit to lead the efforts in data management.
Typically, this group is called data administration, although other terms may be used. This group often
reports as a staff unit to the IS director, although other structures are possible. In any case, the company
should have a data governance policy that outlines the role of the data administration group and the
role of business managers in data administration.

Key functions of the data administration group should include the following:

-Promote and control data sharing.

-Analyze the impact of changes to application systems when data definitions change.
- Maintain metadata
- Reduce redundant data and processing.
- Reduce system maintenance costs and improve systems development productivity.
- Improve quality and security of data
-Insure data integrity

14. What are the basic functions of managing the data resource?

The basic functions of Managing Data Resources are

a) Database Administration: This is an important data resource management function and is used to
ensure effective database management technology

b) Data Planning: Here this involves a detailed analysis of the data and is responsible for developing data
architecture for the firm and its resources.

c) Data Administration: ...