Introduction to databases

Topics
1. Definition of database terms and
concepts
2. Characteristics of a database
approach
3. Databases systems versus
traditional file systems
4. Database applications
 Intro
• A database is a collection of related tables
Users/Programmers

Application Programs/Queries

DBMS Software
Software to Process Queries/Programs

Software to Access Stored Data

Stored DB
Stored
Definition
Database
(Meta-Data)
 1. DEFINITION OF DATABASE TERMS AND CONCEPTS

• Attribute
• Business Rules
• Candidate keys
• Cardinality
• Column
• Data Manipulation Language (DML)
• Data model
 1. DEFINITION OF DATABASE TERMS AND CONCEPTS

• Database model
• Database Normalization
• Datatype
• database management systems (DMS).
• Domain
• Entity
• Foreign Key
• Index
 1. DEFINITION OF DATABASE TERMS AND CONCEPTS

• Join Relationship
• Look-up tables
• MetaData
• NULL values
• Occurrence
• One-to-one relationships
• One-to-many relationships
• Many-to-many relationships
 1. DEFINITION OF DATABASE TERMS AND CONCEPTS

• Open DataBase Connectivity (ODBC)

• Primary Key
• Ref cursor
• Referential Integrity
• Relationship
• Structured Query Language (SQL)
• Stored Function
• Stored Procedure
• Table
• View
 2. CHARACTERISTICS OF A DATABASE
APPROACH
• Concurrent Use
• A database system allows several users to access the
database concurrently. Answering different questions
from different users with the same (base) data is a
central aspect of an information system.
Such concurrent use of data increases the economy of
a system. Data capturing and data storage is
not redundant, the system can be operated from a
central control and the data can be updated more
efficiently.
 2. CHARACTERISTICS OF A DATABASE
APPROACH
• Structured and Described Data
• A fundamental feature of the database approach
is that the database system does not only contain
the data but also the complete definition and
description of these data. These descriptions are
basically details about the extent, the structure,
the type and the format of all data and,
additionally, the relationship between the data.
 2. CHARACTERISTICS OF A DATABASE
APPROACH
• Separation of Data and Applications
• As described in the feature structured data, the structure
of a database is described through metadata which is also
stored in the database.
A software application does not need any knowledge about
the physical data storage like encoding, format, storage
place, etc. It only communicates with the management
system of a database (DBMS) via a standardised interface
with the help of a standardised language like SQL. The
access to the data and the metadata is entirely done by the
DBMS.
 2. CHARACTERISTICS OF A DATABASE
APPROACH
• Data Integrity
• Data integrity is a byword for the quality and the
reliability of the data of a database system. In a
broader sense data integrity includes also the
protection of the database from unauthorised access
(confidentiality) and unauthorised changes.
Data reflect facts of the real world. Logically, it is
demanded that this reflection is done correctly. A
DBMS should support the task to bring only correct
and consistent data into the database.

• eg: Two Database Tables with Contradictory Datasets

 2. CHARACTERISTICS OF A DATABASE
APPROACH
• Transactions
• A transaction is a bundle of actions which are
done within a database to bring it from one
consistent state to a new consistent state. In
between the data are inevitable inconsistencies.
A transaction is atomic, which means it cannot be
divided up any further. Within a transaction all or
none of the actions need to be carried out. Doing
only a part of the actions would lead to an
inconsistent database state.
•
 2. CHARACTERISTICS OF A DATABASE
APPROACH
• Data Persistence
• Data persistence means that in a DBMS all data is
maintained as long as it is not deleted explicitly. The
life span of data needs to be determined directly or
indirectly be the user and must not be dependent on
system features. Additionally data once stored in a
database must not be lost.
Changes of a database which are done by
a transaction are persistent. When a transaction is
finished even a system crash cannot put the data in
danger.
•
 2. CHARACTERISTICS OF A DATABASE
APPROACH
• Data Views
• Typically, a database has several users and
each of them, depending on access rights and
desire, needs an individual view of the data
(content and form). Such a data view can
consist of a subset of the stored data or from
the stored data derived data (not explicitely
stored).
 2. CHARACTERISTICS OF A DATABASE
APPROACH SUMMARY
i. Represent Some Aspects of real world
applications
ii. Manages Information
iii. Easy Operation implementation
iv. Multiple views of database
v. Data for specific purpose
vi. It has Users of Specific interest
vii. Self Describing nature
viii. Logical relationship between records and data
ix. Independence between program and data
 3. DATABASES SYSTEMS VERSUS
TRADITIONAL FILE SYSTEMS
File-based System (Predecessor to the DBMS) are a
collection of application programs that perform
services for the end-users such as the production of
reports. Each program defines and manages its own
data.
Problems with traditional file systems are:
• Inconsistent data
• Inflexibility
• Limited data sharing
• Poor enforcement of standards
• Excessive program maintenance
 3. DATABASES SYSTEMS VERSUS
TRADITIONAL FILE SYSTEMS
Benefits of database systems are:
• Minimal data redundancy
• Consistency of data
• Integration of data
• Sharing of data
• Ease of application development
• Uniform security, privacy, and integrity controls
• Data accessibility and responsiveness
• Data independence
• Reduced program maintenance
 3. DATABASES SYSTEMS VERSUS
TRADITIONAL FILE SYSTEMS
Problems with the Traditional File Environment that are
directly addressed by Database Systems:

• Data redundancy

• Program-Data dependence

• Lack of flexibility

• Poor security

• Lack of data-sharing and availability

 4. DATABASE APPLICATIONS
• A database application is a computer program
whose primary purpose is entering and
retrieving information from a
computerised database.
 4. DATABASE APPLICATIONS
• Transaction Processing Systems
e.g.- Point Of Sale systems, Ticketing Systems,
• Management Information Systems
e.g.- Accounting Systems, Student Record
Management Systems,
• Web Based Systems
e.g.-Online Shop, Content Management
Systems, Dynamic Websites
 4. DATABASE APPLICATIONS
• Calendar Management Application
-The calendar management application is especially
good to create shared calendars. It helps all the
members of a same team to know who? is where?
and when?
 4. DATABASE APPLICATIONS
• Client Tracking Application
• A client tracking application is just like an address book but only
better. From this application, create different projects to track
not only your client but also your prospects, other contacts or
service providers.
 4. DATABASE APPLICATIONS
• Contract Management Application
• Use this application to remember when are the renewal dates
for all your contracts. It may not be a legal document in itself,
but it is a great way to archive the scanned copies of the actual
paper contracts.
 4. DATABASE APPLICATIONS
• Task Tracking Application
• Task tracking applications are definitively the most popular
applications our clients use. It may be very simple but it
replaces status and assignment meetings in many teams. In
my opinion, it is the best tool to keep track of who is doing
what and when.