QUESTIONS

1. Define each of the following terms:

a. data
b. field
c. record
d. File

Data – Raw facts

Field - A character or group of characters that can be alphabetic or numeric that has a specific meaning.
Used to define and store data.
Record - A logically connected set of one or more files that describes a person, place or thing.
File - A collection of related records.

2. What is data redundancy, and which characteristics of the file system can lead to it?

It is when the same data is stored unnecessarily at different places and characteristics include islands of
information and scattered data locations, which can lead to poor data security, data inconsistency, and data
anomaly.

3. What is data independence, and why is it lacking in file systems?

Data storage characteristics are changed without affecting the program's ability to access the data. It is
lacking in file systems because any change to a file structure, no matter how minor,forces modifications in
all the programs that use the data in that file.

4. What is a DBMS, and what are its functions?

It is a collection of programs, manages the database structure and controls access to data stored in the
database. Its functions include:
1. data dictionary management
2. data storage management
3. data transformation and presentation
4. security management
5. multi user access control
6. backup and recovery management
7. data integrity management
8. database access languages and application programming interfaces
9. database communication interfaces

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

It is when File structure is changed without affecting the applications ability to access the data and it is
important because changes to the file structure will not require modifying file system programs to
conform to the new changes.
6. Explain the differences among data, information, and a database.

Data is raw information and information is the result of processing raw data to reveal its meaning.

7. What is the role of a DBMS, and what are its advantages? What are its disadvantages?

A DBMS serves as the intermediary between the user and the database. The advantages include:
1. improved data sharing
2. improved data security
3. better data integration
4. minimized data inconsistency
5. improved data access
6. improved decision making
7. increased end-user productivity
The disadvantages include:
1. increased costs
2. management complexity
3. maintaining currency
4. vendor dependence
5. frequent upgrade/replacement cycles
6.
8. List and describe the different types of databases.

1. single user database: supports only one user at a time

2. desktop database: a single user database that runs on a personal computer
3. multi user database: supports multiple users at one time
4. workgroup database: a multiuser database that supports a small number of users (50 or less)
5. enterprise database: a multiuser database that supports a large number of users (50+)
6. centralized database: supports data located at a single site
7. distributed database: supports data distributed across several different sites
8. operational/transactional/production database: for day-to-day operations
9. data warehouse: stores data used to generate info required to make tactical or strategic decision

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

Components include hardware, software, people, procedures, data

10. What is metadata?

Metadata is data about data, through which the end user data are integrated and managed
11. Explain why database design is important.

Data is only as useful as its design, also known as structure. A database that is designed poorly can make
simple tasks and queries complicated and unsuccessful which can lead to the downfall of a business.

12. What are the potential costs of implementing a database system?

The potential costs include:

1. sophisticated hardware and software, trained personnel
2. training, licensing and regulation compliance costs
3. vendor dependence - vendors are less likely to offer pricing point advantages to existing
customers
4. updating of hardware and software; additional training

13. Use examples to compare and contrast unstructured and structured data. Which
type is more prevalent in a typical business environment?

An example of both types would include an invoice. If one were to take an invoice and simply scan it into
a graphic, it would be unstructured data. In contrast, if it were processed and put into a database
(subsequently becoming structured data), employees could eventually find the monthly averages, amount
owed, etc. from various invoices. While both are prevalent, I would think semi structured data would be
the most common in a typical business. Some data is stored but not processed (unstructured data such as
memos), and some others are stored in databases (such as invoices) but most data are only processed to a
certain extent
that is displayed in a prearranged format but not able to yield all of the information contained within.

14. What are some basic database functions that a spreadsheet cannot perform?

Support for self-documentation through metadata and enforcement of data types or domains to ensure
consistency of data within a column, defined relationships among tables, or constraints to ensure
consistency of data across related tables.

15. What common problems do a collection of spreadsheets created by end users share
with the typical file system?

1. lengthy development times

2. difficulty of getting quick answers
3. complex system administration
4. lack of security and limited data sharing
5. extensive programming
16. Explain the significance of the loss of direct, hands-on access to business data that
end users experienced with the advent of computerized data repositories.

The loss of direct, hands-on access to business data to end-users was significant because it gave them the
tools to convert their data into the information they needed and manipulate the company data that would
allow them to create new information. However, it separated end-users from data. While this increased
security, prevented redundancy and such, it also created a delay in which the end-user could request
information from the data and when it was delivered by the DP.

17. Explain why the cost of ownership may be lower with a cloud database than with a
traditional, company database.

They are outsourcing their servers. They just pay a company to store their information there as opposed to
purchasing their own infrastructures to hold all of their data.