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Questions and Answers
What is the primary responsibility of database administrators?
What is the primary responsibility of database administrators?
Who is responsible for communicating with end-users and understanding their needs?
Who is responsible for communicating with end-users and understanding their needs?
What kind of relationships does the network model allow between linked records?
What kind of relationships does the network model allow between linked records?
What is a major limitation of the hierarchical and network models?
What is a major limitation of the hierarchical and network models?
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What is a benefit of Relational Database Management Systems (RDBMS)?
What is a benefit of Relational Database Management Systems (RDBMS)?
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When was the relational model originally introduced?
When was the relational model originally introduced?
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What is the primary role of system analysts?
What is the primary role of system analysts?
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Who updates the database content?
Who updates the database content?
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What is a characteristic of the hierarchical model?
What is a characteristic of the hierarchical model?
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What is the role of application programmers?
What is the role of application programmers?
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Study Notes
Database Systems I
Grading Policy
- Assessment: 15% coursework, quizzes, and assignments
- 6th week exam: 10%
- 9th week exam: 20%
- Lab coursework: 15%
- Final exam: 40%
Recommended Textbooks
- "Fundamentals of Database Systems" by Ramez Elmasri, 7th edition, 2015
Course Objectives
- Design: model data and structure information in a database
- Programming: use DBMS capabilities
- Balance theoretical foundation with practical database design and implementation
Fundamental Database Concepts
Basic Definitions
- Database: a collection of related data
- Data: known facts with implicit meaning
- Mini-world: a part of the real world about which data is stored in a database
- Database Management System (DBMS): software for defining, constructing, and maintaining a database
- Database System: DBMS software, data, and applications
Types of Databases and Database Applications
- Traditional applications: numeric and textual databases
- More recent applications: multimedia, GIS, biological, genome, data warehouses, mobile databases
Database Application Example
- Phone company (e.g., AT&T) dealing with customer, employee, management, billing, and customer service records
Simplified Database System Environment
- DBMS provides control and coordination to protect data
DBMS Functionality
- Define database structure, data types, and constraints
- Construct or load initial database contents
- Manipulate database: retrieve, modify, and access data
- Process and share data among multiple users and applications
Additional DBMS Functionality
- Provide security measures to prevent unauthorized access
- Perform active processing and take internal actions on data
- Present and visualize data
- Maintain database and associated programs over time
The DBMS Industry
- Major DBMS vendors: Oracle, Microsoft, IBM, Sybase
- Free/Open-source DBMS: MySQL, PostgreSQL, Firebird
- Used by companies such as Google, Yahoo, Lycos, BASF
File Processing Approach vs. Database Approach
- File processing approach: each user defines and implements files for specific applications
- Database approach: single repository maintains data defined once and accessed by various users
Disadvantages of File Processing
- Program-data dependence
- Duplication of data
- Limited data sharing
- Lengthy development times
- Excessive program maintenance
Solution: The Database Approach
- Central repository of shared data
- Data managed by a controlling agent
- Stored in a standardized, convenient form
Characteristics of the Database Approach
- Self-describing nature of a database system
- Insulation between programs and data
- Support of multiple views of the data
- Sharing of data and multiuser transaction processing
Advantages of Using the Database Approach
- Controlling redundancy in data storage and development
- Restricting unauthorized access to data
- Providing efficient query processing and storage structures
- Providing backup and recovery services
- Providing multiple interfaces to different classes of users
- Reduced application development time
When not to use a DBMS
- When the database and applications are simple, well-defined, and not expected to change
- When access to data by multiple users is not required
Database Users
- Database administrators: authorize access, coordinate and monitor use, acquire resources
- Database designers: define database content, structure, and constraints
- End-users: use data for queries, reports, and updates
- System analysts and application developers: understand user requirements, implement specifications, test, and debug
Historical Development of Database Technology
- Early database applications: hierarchical model, network model
- Relational model based systems: introduced in 1970, benefits include accuracy, ease of use, and collaboration
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Description
Course details and grading policy for IS 211 Database Systems I, including assessment and recommended textbooks.
