History of Database Systems

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Questions and Answers

What was the primary purpose of Herman Hollerith's invention in the 1880s?

To design a file-based system for commercial use

To develop a network data model for database systems

To record and read data on a machine-readable medium (correct)

To create a hierarchical data model

What was the outcome of using Herman Hollerith's tabulating machines in the 1890 U.S. census?

It took 8 years to complete

It resulted in inaccurate data

It was completed in only 1 year (correct)

It was abandoned due to technical issues

In what year was IBM (International Business Machines) founded?

1924 (correct)

1890

1880

1935

What was the primary medium used for storing data in the 1880s and 1890s?

Punched cards Signup and view all the answers

What was the significance of the 1935 milestone in the history of DBS?

It is not mentioned in the text as a significant milestone Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary concern when updating data in file-based systems?

Consistency problems due to duplicated data Signup and view all the answers

In what decade did the term 'data base' first appear in military computing?

1960s Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary purpose of 'master files' in early database systems?

To maintain persistence between program runs Signup and view all the answers

What was the main limitation of data models in file-based systems?

Lack of relationships between records Signup and view all the answers

What was the cost of data processing computers used by the Pentagon alone in the 1960s?

$70 million per year Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary characteristic of data storage in file-based systems?

Data was stored in independent flat files Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the primary reasons for storing data in a central location?

To enable knowledge about relationships between records Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary application of the Hierarchical data model in the 1960s?

Inventory management for the Apollo Program Signup and view all the answers

What is a key feature of the Hierarchical data model?

Data is organized in a tree structure Signup and view all the answers

What was a limitation of early Hierarchical data models?

Tree height was limited to 2 Signup and view all the answers

What was a key factor in the development of data models?

Advances in hardware design Signup and view all the answers

What is a key benefit of data models?

High-level interfaces to physical data storage Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Early Developments in Database Systems

Herman Hollerith invented the recording of data on punched cards in the 1880s for the 1890 U.S. census.
His tabulating machines could read and summarize data stored on punched cards, reducing the evaluation time of the 1890 census from 8 years to 1 year.
This led to the establishment of data processing machines for government and commercial use, including the founding of IBM in 1924.

The Need for Database Systems

By the 1930s, the need for data consolidation, data independence, and data protection became apparent.
Data consolidation meant storing data in a central place, accessible to all applications.
Data independence meant separating data from the specific programming language used.
Data protection meant safeguarding data against loss and abuse.

Early Data Models

The hierarchical data model was first used in IBM's Information Management System (IMS) database in 1966 for the Apollo Program.
This model organized data in a tree structure, initially limited to 2 levels, but later expanded to larger hierarchies.
The hierarchical model was used to inventory the bill of materials (BOM) for the Saturn V moon rocket and Apollo space vehicle.

Limitations of Early Systems

In the 1950s and 1960s, punch card machines were the state of the art.
Data was stored in independent flat files, leading to consistency problems when updating data.
Data models were similar to punch cards, with master files specific to each application.
There were no relationships between different records, and data needed by multiple applications had to be duplicated.

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Description

Learn about the evolution of database systems from punch card machines to modern times. This quiz covers the early days of data processing, the introduction of the term 'data base', and the development of data models. Test your knowledge of database history and its significance.