Session 03
Database Management
Systems
FRI - 19th Nov 2010
This lesson includes the following sections:
• Review of Last Session
• File System Vs Database Concepts
Databases and Database Management
Systems
• The Difference between Databases and DBMSes
• Database Basics
• DBMSes Basics
Review :
Databases and Database Management Systems
The Difference between Databases and DBMSes
• A database is a repository for collections of related
data or facts.
• A database management system (DBMS) is a
software tool that lets users add, view, and work
with the data in a database.
• Large databases and DBMS’ are commonly used by
companies, but many productivity applications are
built around database concepts.
Database Basics
The two primary types of databases are
1. Flat-file Databases (with only one table)
AND
2. Relational Databases (with multiple, related tables).
Flat File Basics
Flat file manages / organizes data in following way :
• Columns, which store various pieces of data related to
a single attribute of object / person.
• Name or address or age
• Rows, or collections of all attributes relating to to a single
attribute of object / person.
• Person’s all Attributes like name, address, age
• Tables / Spreadsheets, which are collections of
related records.
• Collection of all person’s records
Database Basics
Databases use three main structures for organizing
data:
• Fields, which store various pieces of data
related to a single entity.
• Name or address or age
• Records, or collections of fields relating to an
entity.
• Person’s all Attributes like name, address, age
• Tables, which are collections of related records.
• Collection of all person’s records
Field
Record
PROFESSIONAL ADDRESS BOOK
Table – Which contains number of such records
DBMS Basics
A DBMS allows users to access and manage the data
collected in a database.
Data management tasks (all done through the DBMS)
can be divided into three categories:
• Entering data into the database.
• re-arranging / updating the data in the database.
• Obtaining subsets of the data ( reports) for use.
Working With a Database – Tasks in detail
• Creating Database Tables
• Viewing Records
• Sorting Records
• Querying a Database
• Generating Reports
Working With a Database –
Creating Database Tables
• Identify Tables - The first step in building a database
is to create its tables.
• Identify Fields - This means identifying, naming, and
organizing its fields to receive data.
• Identify Data types in Fields - Databases can store
the following general types of fields:
• Text
• Numeric
• Logical
• Date/Time
• Memo
Working With a Database –
Creating Database Tables
• You can create forms that let you view and enter data
for one record at a time.
• Why to enter one record at a time ?
• Database tools such as masks can validate data as it is
entered and thus ensure the data is in the correct
format / size.
Working With a Database - Viewing Records
• A filter is a tool that lets you view records that match a
given criterion.
• Filters are helpful when searching for certain types of
information in a large database with many records.
• A form can work with a filter, but enables you to view
information about a single record.
Working With a Database - Sorting Records
• Sorting means re-arranging the records in a database
as per your criteria / need.
• A DBMS enables you to sort records alphabetically,
numerically, and multi-level .
• You can sort records in ascending (A-Z) order or
descending (Z-A) order.
Working With a Database -
Querying a Database
A query is a statement you define, which tells the DBMS
to find records that match criteria you specify.
Modern DMBS software provides built-in querying tools,
based on one or more of the languages like:
• SQL (Structured Query Language)
• Query by Example (QBE)
• Xbase
Working With a Database -
Generating Reports
• A report is a subset of information from a database,
produced in printed form.
• You can generate the data for a report by using a
query, filter, sort or other tools.
• Reports can be formatted in a wide variety of ways as
per your requirement.
Enterprise Software
• Enterprise software is a large-scale application based on
a DBMS, used by a large organization.
• Enterprise software can meet the needs of many different
users in different locations.
• In an enterprise, different users have different interfaces
to the database, so they can work only with the data they
need.
Sesson 2 – Class Quiz
• Define the terms database and database management
system (DBMS).
• List 5 tasks that a DBMS enables users to do.
• Differentiate between flat-file databases and relational
databases ( 5 Points )
• List 3 steps needed to create a database.
• What is filters and forms ? Explain the purpose of filters
and forms.
• List 3 examples of query languages.
