Importance of Databases in Decision-Making

Importance of Databases

• Facilitate decision-making and utilize information as organizational resources
• Store, manage, and retrieve data efficiently
• Essential for any information system

Database Use

• Used in research, business, administration, etc

Data vs Information

• Data: raw facts, foundation of knowledge, building blocks of information
• Information: result of processing data, requiring context, crucial for decision-making

Database Definition

• Shared, integrated computer structure storing a collection of end-user data and metadata

Database Management System (DBMS)

• Collection of programs managing data structure and access control

File-Based System

• Stores information in permanent files, managed by different application programs

Drawbacks of File-Based Systems

• Data redundancy
• Inconsistency
• Isolation
• Dependency on application programs
• Atomicity issues
• Security challenges

Types of Dependence

• Structural Dependence: access to files depends on their structure, requiring modifications for changes
• Structural Independence: ability to change file structure without affecting data access
• Data Dependence: changes in data storage characteristics affect data access
• Data Independence: data storage characteristics do not affect data access

Data Issues

• Data Redundancy: vulnerable to security breaches, inconsistency, and integrity problems
• Data Anomalies: abnormalities occurring due to inconsistent changes in redundant data

Database Properties

• Representations of real-world data elements, logical, coherent, and internally consistent

Database Systems

• Regulate the collection, storage, management, and use of data, integrating logically related data into a single repository

Database System Environment

• Comprised of hardware, software, people, procedures, and data

Role and Advantages of DBMS

• Intermediary between users and the database, enabling data sharing and integrating various user views

Types of Databases

• Single user
• Multiuser
• Centralized
• Distributed
• Operational
• Data warehouse
• Unstructured
• Structured
• Semi-structured
• XML databases

Database Design Importance

• Focuses on structuring databases for end-user data, facilitating data management and generating accurate information

DBMS Functions

• Ensure integrity and consistency
• Manage data dictionary
• Manage storage
• Manage transformation
• Manage presentation
• Manage security
• Manage access control
• Manage backup
• Manage recovery
• Manage integrity management
• Language interfaces
• Communication interfaces

Database Development Process

• Planning phase
• Analysis phase
• Design phase
• Implementation phase
• Maintenance phase