Lecture 8 Chapter 1: The Database Environment

Modern Database Management 9th Edition

Jeffrey A. Hoffer, Mary B. Prescott,

Heikki Topi

Presentation Adapted by Dr. Mahmoud Youssef

2009 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Prentice Hall
1

Important!

This lecture includes significant amount of theoretical information. In order to study the materials in this lecture correctly, check the objects Exam questions will be based on these objectives

Chapter 1 2009 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Prentice Hall

Objectives

Definition of terms Name limitations of conventional file processing Explain advantages of databases Identify costs and risks of databases List components of database environment

Chapter 1 2009 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Prentice Hall

Definitions I

Database: organized collection of logically related data

Data is organized in some way, usually tables Logically related. There are relationships between the data elements that reflect the nature of the business.

For example, when there is a relationship between customer data and order data, such relationship follows from the business practices that orders are places by customers. Notice also that this relationship is needed to satisfy information needs. E.g., when we want to have a report about orders made by each customer from year beginning until today (Y-T-D).
4

Chapter 1 2009 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Prentice Hall

Definitions II

Data: stored representations of meaningful objects and events

Objects (things) such as customers, orders, products Events (actions or activities) such as placing an order, depositing money, issuing national card. Structured: numbers, text, dates Unstructured: images, video, documents

Data can be classified into two types

Chapter 1 2009 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Prentice Hall

Definitions III

Information: data processed to increase knowledge in the person using the data

Chapter 1 2009 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Prentice Hall

Figure 1-1a Data in context

Context helps users understand data

Chapter 1 2009 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Prentice Hall

Figure 1-1b Summarized data

Graphical displays turn data into useful information that managers can use for decision making and interpretation
Chapter 1 2009 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Prentice Hall
8

Definitions IV

Metadata: data that describes the properties and context of user data Usually, the term metadata is used to mean data about data or simpler data that describe data. For a book, the title, the author name, and all the front matter can be considered metadata. In databases, metadata is usually the data that describe the data in the database
9

Chapter 1 2009 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Prentice Hall

Descriptions of the properties or characteristics of the data, including data types, field sizes, allowable values, and data context
Chapter 1 2009 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Prentice Hall
10

File Processing I

Before the use of databases in information systems, data used to be stored in files. This approach has many problems that led to the development of databases and using them in information systems.

Chapter 1 2009 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Prentice Hall

11

File Processing II
09100400, Ahmed Mohamed Hussein, 12 Tahrir St. Dokki, Cairo, 13/3/1990, Finance 09100401, Samy Ibrahim Saber, 15 Korneish Road, Cairo, 28/8/1989, Marketing

Only the programmer who designed this file knows what these fields are and how they can be used and that is coded in the application not with the data. In other words, the metadata is maintained within applications Notice also that other files may use another separator such as the TAB character rather than the comma in this case. As such there is no consistent file structure These are just a few limitations of the file approach. Chapter 1 2009 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Prentice Hall
12

Problems with Data Dependency

Each application programmer must maintain his/her own data Each application program needs to include code for the metadata of each file Each application program must have its own processing routines for reading, inserting, updating, and deleting data Lack of coordination and central control Non-standard file formats
Teaching Note: If you dont understand the above dont memorize it

Chapter 1 2009 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Prentice Hall

13

Disadvantages of File Processing

Program-Data Dependence

All programs maintain metadata for each file they use Different systems/programs have separate copies of the same data (see slide 14) No centralized control of data Programmers must design their own file formats 80% of information systems budget
14

Duplication of Data

Limited Data Sharing

Lengthy Development Times

Excessive Program Maintenance

Chapter 1 2009 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Prentice Hall

Duplicate Data

15

Chapter 1 2009 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Prentice Hall

SOLUTION: The DATABASE Approach

Central repository of shared data Data is managed by a controlling agent (Database Management System) Stored in a standardized, convenient form

Chapter 1 2009 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Prentice Hall

Requires a Database Management System (DBMS)

16

Database Management System

A software system that is used to create, maintain, and provide controlled access to user databases
Order Filing System Central database Contains employee, order, inventory, pricing, and customer data

Invoicing System

DBMS

Payroll System

DBMS manages data resources like an operating system manages hardware resources

Chapter 1 2009 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Prentice Hall

17