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Data Dictionary Slides

A data dictionary is a comprehensive collection of data item descriptions that aids in managing large data systems, improves communication, and documents data processes. While it offers significant advantages such as error detection and efficient data management, creating a data dictionary can be time-consuming and costly, particularly for non-technical users. Overall, it is a crucial component of modern database systems, enhancing efficiency, reliability, and accuracy.

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Data Dictionary Slides

A data dictionary is a comprehensive collection of data item descriptions that aids in managing large data systems, improves communication, and documents data processes. While it offers significant advantages such as error detection and efficient data management, creating a data dictionary can be time-consuming and costly, particularly for non-technical users. Overall, it is a crucial component of modern database systems, enhancing efficiency, reliability, and accuracy.

Uploaded by

chepnyek
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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INTRODUCTION

Data dictionary is the collection of the description of data


items in data systems or models to offer services of
references to people with an interest in it. The first
process of analyzing data to create a dictionary is to
identify the objects are relationships between them
(Jackson, 2016). The process of identifying and finding a
relationship between objects is called modeling. One the
objects are defined by being given a description, data
type and its relationship with others, it can be organized
into a data dictionary for references. Therefore, data
dictionary are provided with the following primary
information the name of the data item, description,
source, impact analysis and search keyword.
Data dictionary is, therefore, proper means that one can
use to represent a specific requirement of the project.
Therefore, it makes sure that programmers develop a
rational database or data structure that explicitly take
note of all necessarily specified issues without bringing
confusion (Jackson, 2016). For instance in the case of
business context, data dictionary will include only the
necessary information about business stakeholders thus
avoiding to create wrong information.
Importance of data dictionaries
 Aids management of large systems: think about n
international back with thousands of customers.
Keeping a physical record of all their information is
impossible and extremely impractical to manage.
However, with the data dictionary, the dynamic and
hugeness of these data are reduced. Data dictionary
reduce the work of recording and retrieving the
information when needed (Jackson, 2016).
 Improve communication between many different
elements of the system: data dictionary link different
elements of a given system together. Through this
technique proper communication between systems
are improved (www.scitechnol.com, 2016). This
makes data dictionary reliable and consistent in
defining data, retrieving data and storing data.
Importance of data dictionaries
 It also brings the advantage of documentation: data
systems recording transaction and processes that involve
data systems. For instance, it documents the frequency of
processes that occur, who accessed to the data store. At
what time did they accessed or the type of files that has
been accessed more than others. This feature is essential
for database analysts since it provide them with all
necessary information completely.
 Location of errors: data dictionary may occasionally reveal
inaccurate and incomplete information. They may also show
stores that are less actively accessed or the processes that
need to be subdivided for efficiency. Offering such critical
information about the system operation bring about the
issue of sine reliability user can trust that data dictionary to
outline mistakes and prompt for appropriate corrections.
Drawbacks of Data dictionary

 It is tiresome to create a newer data dictionary: It takes times


usually months to years to create a fully-functioning database
dictionary. This is due to enormous amount of data that is
needed to meet the bulkiness. Besides that, the process of
design the system is also time-consuming (Jackson, 2016).
Therefore, in the case of a major problem that leads to the need
for new data dictionary more money and time can be spent.
 it requires careful start time for designing it since mistake on it
will be carried forward to its entire life. In the case of errors in
coding while creating data dictionary then the error will be
implemented on the system. Without quick identification, tracing
the problem can be hard hence complicating the system entirely.
 Designing, initial hardware expenses, and management cost is
too high for data dictionary systems.
 Data dictionary was designed specifically for technical uses
since non-technical consumers may not understand the columns
in data dictionary i.e. what they present and their value.
Key function of data dictionary

 Define the data element: for processing purposes, it’s


necessary for all type of data element to be defined.
Definition of data elements involves size, type and specific
set of values. Data elements include any unit of data, for
example, Name, Address, Account Number and Town.
 Help in the scheduling: creating of database management
system require proper scheduling to ensure that all
element needed are provided. Data dictionary is the best
way to keep records of all items that will be needed in
future the proper format.
 Data dictionary also control the access to objects in the
database using viewing. It only allows a user with the right
to view the tables in the database. Besides that, it hides
other objects and tables that users have no permission to
view.
Key function of data dictionary

 Provide a seamless report on the data that


object are using. This facilitates easy
management of the database.
 When any database definition language is
sent to the database object, it searches for
data dictionary for the object. The underlying
DBMS software modifies the object regarding
DDL command. Changes are reflected in the
base table and can be noticed by the end
user viewed as the output of the command
that was fed to the computer.
Structure of data dictionary

 Data dictionary contains data about the database.


Therefore, it forms an essential element of information
of the database. For instance, in case, a request is
made to the database, DBMS fetches information
about the object from the data dictionary. All the time
data are stored in the table, and only DBMS can read
and right on the tables. Alteration of tables will lead to
the destruction of the database. That’s why they have
limited accessibility. Internal level of the data
dictionary is applicable here (Jackson, 2016). this is
the case whereby any changes to the object is made
automatically by DBMS. View on the base is
developed by system schemas, and viewers access
only the read-only version of data.
diagram
Views of data dictionary

 The USER view provides only those table and


view that are created by current users. It
does not list other opinions and tables of
other schemas.
 ALL provide views of all schemas owned by
the current user and all other views that it
has accessed. Therefore, it list all tables and
views supplied by the user and those of
others (www.scitechnol.com, 2016).
 DBA offer access to all schemas but only to
those with DBA privilege
conclusion
Data dictionary is a complex system yet
very essential to the operation of the
database system. Therefore, the proper
process needs to be put forth in
designing, analyzing and creating its
model to avoid complication associated
with errors. Data dictionary is an
important system in modern storage
system since it aids efficiency, reliability
and accuracy.
References
 Jackson, J. (2016). Structure, Views and
Architecture of Data Dictionary in DBMS.
Tutorialcup.com. Retrieved 23 February
2016, from
https://www.tutorialcup.com/dbms/data-
dictionary-structure.htm
 www.scitechnol.com,. (2016). DBMS.
Retrieved 23 February 2016, from
http://www.scitechnol.com/.../scholarly-
journals-on-database-management-syst...

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