Database Basics Facts.docx

**Name:.................................................................................... Student nr.......................** **Date:................................... Year/Class............** **Database Basics Facts** ========================= **Database **systems help us store and manage thi...

**Name:.................................................................................... Student nr.......................** **Date:................................... Year/Class............** **Database Basics Facts** ========================= **Database **systems help us store and manage this important and valuable resource. Key Facts & Information ----------------------- ### **Understanding Databases** *A database is a collection of data that is specially organized for rapid search and retrieval by a computer.* *Merriam Webster * - Without the help of digital databases, people had to record information on paper. These papers were mostly stored in several filing cabinets.  - People had to go through the cabinets manually to retrieve files in order to locate or edit information. - Now, with the help of databases, data is stored and accessed differently. - Most people are not aware of the fact that they encounter different databases every day. - Databases work to make most of our daily online tasks possible -- like shopping for necessities, searching for information using Google, and browsing social media.  - Our [digital world](https://kidskonnect.com/science/digital-literacy/), and everything that happens and exists in it, relies so much on the work of databases. - Databases store and organize huge amounts of data.  - They are a collection of lists and tables that present data in a systematic way. - On the surface, databases seem no different from spreadsheets because the data is organized and presented in a similar fashion.  - However, users can accomplish so much more with databases than spreadsheets.  - Database management systems are systems that hold databases and help users manage the existing data inside. - A database management system stands between the user and their database.  - Since data is organized, users can quickly locate and retrieve the information they need at any given time. They can also edit and update existing data if needed. All this work is possible because of data management systems.  - Databases also make it easier for users to study and analyze information for a specific purpose. Users can easily see patterns and relationships that exist between data sets. - Data may be damaged or corrupted when a database suffers from a malicious attack or breach. Failures in hardware or software may also cause data loss or corruption. Database management systems do this regularly for database users. - Database management systems search for and remove duplicate data (unnecessary and repeated copies) in the database. This is known as data duplication or data redundancy. This task is important because databases need to protect the integrity of their data. Data should be accurate and consistent so users can rely on and trust it. ### **Types of Databases** - **Text Database **-- One of the most basic database types. Data is stored in a text file and a table is used to organize information. In a table, rows are called records and columns are called fields.  - **Desktop Database **-- A productivity tool called a spreadsheet is quite popular with users because it makes it easier for them to input, store, organize, and locate data. This database type can also handle more data and help users accomplish tasks faster. Examples of popular spreadsheet programs are Google Sheets, Microsoft Excel, and Apple's Numbers. Desktop databases can do much more than text databases. - **Relational Database **-- This database type is more powerful than the two types mentioned above. Multiple users can access a shared relational database and do their work at the same time. Relational databases are better at handling large amounts of data. Data is not just organized in tables consisting of rows and columns but the relationship between the data sets are also shown. In this database type, a group of data sets are called a schema and several of these make up a relational database. - **No SQL Database/Object-oriented Database **-- These database types look different from the ones mentioned above because they do not have the same structure. Data is not organized in rows and columns and related ones are not split into different tables. In short, they are flexible and do not have a fixed schema. How these databases work is quite similar to libraries; data is stored in large chunks which users can think of as books stored in bookshelves. These database types help users locate the bookshelves that might have the data they are looking for and provide them access. A digital assistant scans the shelves and pinpoints the "book" that has the exact information needed by the user.  **Introduction to Databases Vocabulary Review** **[Data]** *Bits or [pieces] of [information].* --------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- **[Database]** *A collection of [related] data files [organized] and [cross-referenced] for quick* *retrieval.* **[Template]** *A [pre-built] database [table] formatted with categories such as those for* *[business], [education], and [personal use], including those for [events], [assets], [inventory], and [contacts].* **[Table]** **[Related Table]** **[Record]** **[Field]** *The [location] for a piece of data or information.* **[Form]** **[Query]** **[Report]** **\ ** A screenshot of a computer game Description automatically generated  A screenshot of a computer Description automatically generated  A list of text on a page Description automatically generated with medium confidence  A screenshot of a document Description automatically generated