Database Systems Chapter 1 Flashcards

Questions and Answers

What is an ad hoc query?

A spur-of-the-moment question.

What is a centralized database?

A database located at a single site.

What is data?

Raw facts that have not yet been processed to reveal their meaning.

What is a data anomaly?

A data abnormality that exists when inconsistent changes to a database have been made. Signup and view all the answers

What is data dependence?

A data condition in which the data representation and manipulation are dependent on the physical data storage characteristics. Signup and view all the answers

What is a data dictionary?

A DBMS component that stores metadata about data. Signup and view all the answers

What is data inconsistency?

A condition in which different versions of the same data yield different results. Signup and view all the answers

What is data independence?

A condition that exists when data access is unaffected by changes in the physical data storage characteristics. Signup and view all the answers

What is data integrity?

A condition in which the data in the database is in compliance with all entity and referential integrity constraints. Signup and view all the answers

What is data management?

A process that focuses on data collection, storage, and retrieval. Signup and view all the answers

What is data quality?

A comprehensive approach to ensuring the accuracy, validity, and timeliness of data. Signup and view all the answers

What is data redundancy?

A condition that exists when a data environment contains unnecessarily duplicated data. Signup and view all the answers

What is a data warehouse?

An integrated, subject-oriented, time-variant, nonvolatile collection of data that provides support for decision making. Signup and view all the answers

What is a database?

A shared, integrated computer structure that houses a collection of related data. Signup and view all the answers

What is database design?

The process that yields the description of the database structure. Signup and view all the answers

What is a database management system (DBMS)?

The collection of programs that manages the database structure and controls access to the data. Signup and view all the answers

What is a database system?

An organization of components that defines and regulates the collection, storage, management, and use of data in a database environment. Signup and view all the answers

What is a desktop database?

A single-user database that runs on a personal computer. Signup and view all the answers

What is a distributed database?

A logically related database that is stored over two or more physically independent sites. Signup and view all the answers

What is an enterprise database?

The overall company data representation, which provides support for present and expected future needs. Signup and view all the answers

What is Extensible Markup Language (XML)?

A metalanguage used to represent and manipulate data elements. Signup and view all the answers

What is a field?

A character or group of characters that defines a characteristic of a person, place, or thing. Signup and view all the answers

What is a file?

A named collection of related records. Signup and view all the answers

What is information?

The result of processing raw data to reveal its meaning. Signup and view all the answers

What are islands of information?

Independent, often duplicated, and inconsistent data pools created and managed by different organizational departments. Signup and view all the answers

What is knowledge?

The body of information and facts about a specific subject. Signup and view all the answers

What is a logical data format?

The way in which a human being views data. Signup and view all the answers

What is metadata?

Data about data, concerning data characteristics and relationships. Signup and view all the answers

What is a multiuser database?

A database that supports multiple concurrent users. Signup and view all the answers

What is an operational database?

A database that is designed primarily to support a company's day-to-day operations. Signup and view all the answers

What is performance tuning?

Activities that make a database perform more efficiently in terms of storage and access speed. Signup and view all the answers

What is a physical data format?

The way in which a computer stores data. Signup and view all the answers

What is a production database?

The main database designed to keep track of the day-to-day operations of a company. Signup and view all the answers

What is a query?

A question or task asked by an end user of a database in the form of SQL code. Signup and view all the answers

What is a query language?

A nonprocedural language that is used by a DBMS to manipulate its data. Signup and view all the answers

What is a query result set?

The collection of data rows that are returned by a query. Signup and view all the answers

What is a record?

A collection of related fields. Signup and view all the answers

What is semistructured data?

Data that have already been processed to some extent. Signup and view all the answers

What is a single-user database?

A database that supports only one user at a time. Signup and view all the answers

What is structural dependence?

A data characteristic that exists when a change in the database schema affects data access. Signup and view all the answers

What is structural independence?

A data characteristic that exists when changes in the database schema do not affect data access. Signup and view all the answers

What is structured data?

Unstructured data that have been formatted to facilitate storage, use, and information generation. Signup and view all the answers

What is Structured Query Language (SQL)?

A powerful and flexible relational database language composed of commands. Signup and view all the answers

What is a transactional database?

A database designed to keep track of the day-to-day transactions of an organization. Signup and view all the answers

What is unstructured data?

Data that exist in their original state. Signup and view all the answers

What is a workgroup database?

A multiuser database that supports a relatively small number of users. Signup and view all the answers

What is an XML database?

A database system that stores and manages semistructured XML data. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Database Key Terms

Ad hoc query: Refers to an unplanned, spontaneous query posed by a user.
Centralized database: A database that is situated at a single location, facilitating easier management and access.
Data: The raw, unprocessed facts that require further interpretation to extract meaning.
Data anomaly: Occurs when inconsistent changes are made to a database, leading to discrepancies across files (e.g., an employee's address updated in one file but not others).
Data dependence: The state where the format and manipulation of data are linked to the specific physical storage characteristics.
Data dictionary: A component of a Database Management System (DBMS) that holds metadata, defining data elements and their relationships.
Data inconsistency: The scenario where variations in data versions produce differing outputs or results.
Data independence: Exists when modifications in physical data storage do not impact data access methods.
Data integrity: Ensures that data in a relational database adheres to all required constraints, maintaining accuracy and consistency.
Data management: Involves the processes of data collection, storage, retrieval, and manipulation, including addition, deletion, and modification.
Data quality: A holistic approach to maintaining the accuracy, validity, and timeliness of data within a system.
Data redundancy: Occurs when unnecessary duplication of data exists within a database environment.
Data warehouse: Defined by Bill Inmon as an integrated, subject-oriented, time-variant, and non-volatile data collection aiding decision-making.
Database: A shared structure encompassing related data, consisting of end-user data and metadata which gives context to the data.
Database design: The phase in the Database Life Cycle that establishes the structure and components of the database.
Database Management System (DBMS): A collection of programs that oversee the database structure and manage data access.
Database system: An organized set of components that regulates the storage, management, and utilization of data within a database environment.
Desktop database: A single-user database designed to run on personal computers.
Distributed database: A related database distributed across two or more physical locations, enhancing data access and redundancy.
Enterprise database: Represents the comprehensive data structure of an organization, catering to both current and future information needs.
Extensible Markup Language (XML): A markup language used for representing and manipulating data elements, especially for structured document exchanges over the Internet.
Field: Represents a characteristic of an entity, composed of characters or numbers (e.g., Social Security Number, address).
File: A designated collection of related records, serving as an organizational unit within a database.
Information: Produced from data processing, revealing meaningful insights and aiding in decision-making.
Islands of information: Refers to isolated, often duplicated data pools managed by various organizational departments leading to inconsistency.
Knowledge: Represents familiarity and understanding of information within a specific context, enabling the derivation of new insights from existing data.
Logical data format: The interpretation of data as viewed by humans.
Metadata: Information describing other data, detailing characteristics and relationships.
Multiuser database: Supports multiple users concurrently accessing and working on the database.
Operational database: Primarily designed to support the daily operations of a company.
Performance tuning: Activities aimed at enhancing database efficiency regarding storage and access speeds.
Physical data format: How data is stored on a computer, which is often not visible to users.
Production database: The principal database utilized for tracking daily company operations.
Query: A user-generated request for data manipulation expressed in SQL code.
Query language: Nonprocedural languages (like SQL) employed by DBMS to manage data.
Query result set: The output collection of data rows returned from executing a query.
Record: A group of related fields that form a single entry in a database.
Semistructured data: Data that has undergone some processing, rendering it partially organized.
Single-user database: A database designed for use by one individual at a time.
Structural dependence: Exists when changes in schema necessitate updates in all access programs due to impact on data access.
Structural independence: Characterizes a setup where schema changes do not influence data access methods.
Structured data: Data formatted for ease of storage and processing.
Structured Query Language (SQL): A powerful relational language for creating database structures, performing data manipulation, and querying databases to extract information.
Transactional database: A database that tracks daily transactions of an organization.
Unstructured data: Data in its original, raw form as initially collected.
Workgroup database: A multiuser database intended for limited users, typically under 50, often serving a specific department.
XML database: A database system dedicated to storing and managing semistructured XML data.

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Test your knowledge with flashcards covering key terms and definitions from Chapter 1 of Database Systems. This set includes essential concepts like ad hoc queries, centralized databases, and data anomalies to help reinforce your understanding of the subject.