Introduction to Database

 Topic Outline

Introduction to Database 

Types of Data
Metadata
Components of Database Environment
Application Program
Range of Database applications
Types of Users


Types of Data
Different types of data are as follow:
  • Numeric Data
It consists of numeric digits from 0 to 9 like 22, 58, 1123, or -123. The numeric data may be, either positive or negative.
  • Alphabetic Data
It consists of alphabetic letters from A to Z, a to z, and blank spaces. For example, "Computer", "Software", "IT", and "Automata" etc.
  • Image Data
Image data includes graphs, pictures, drawings,, and charts. Image data is more comprehensive. 
  • Alphanumeric Data
It consists of numeric digits (0 to 9) , letters (A- to Z) and all special characters (+, -, @, $, #) etc.
  • Audio Data
This data includes music, speech, and any type of sound.
  • Video Data
This data is a set of full-motion images played at a high speed. It is used to display actions and movement.
Metadata
The metadata can be defined as data about data. Metadata is used to describe the characteristics of some other data. It describes the size, format,  and other characteristics of data. Metadata also includes the rules about data.
Example
When you enter a table you specify the data type, format, size,, and other rules for entering the data in different fields of the table. Metadata describes the properties of the data to be stored in the table. 

Components of Database Environment
Components of the database environment are as follows:
  • Repository
It is a collection of all data definitions, relationships, output styles, report format, etc. This information is important to manage the database. 
  • Database Management System
DBMS is a collection of programs that are used to create and maintain the database. It is a general-purpose software system that provides the following facilities.
DBMS provides the facility to define the structure of a database. 
DBMS provides the facility to store data on a storage medium.
DBMS provides the facility to insert, delete, update and retrieve data to generate reports, etc.
  • User Interface
It is a visual environment that is used by the user to communicate with the computer. All the windows based software uses a graphical user interface. 
    • Forms
It is used to enter data into the database. The form consists of text boxes, buttons, and labels are used by the users for entering the data. By using form users can retrieve, update data.,
    • Menus
Menus are the list of commands for performing operations. Menus are used in windows based applications. 
    • Reports
Reports are an output of a database application. The information on the reports is arranged in different forms.
  • Data Administrators
The data administrators are the persons who are responsible for the whole information system.
  • System Analysts
It determines the requirements of end-users and develops specifications for transactions.
Application Program
It is a program that is used to send commands to the database management system to manipulate the database. The commands are sent to the database management system through the graphical user interface. The user interacts with the application program. 
Relationship of Application Program and DBMS
The database application is developed by using both the application program and DBMS. An application program is also called the front end and the database is also called the back end. Relation between the application program and DBMS is very important. When a database program is developed, a way of communication with the program is required for the user. 
Range of Database Applications
  • Personal Computer Database
It is designed for single. Users may be used stand-alone desktop computers or laptops. The representatives of an organization may use laptop computers when working in the office. This computer may use a simple database application in which records of customers are stored. 
A problem with this personal computer database application is that it is difficult to share quickly. For example, If the head of an organization wants to get the complete information of his customers, it cannot be done quickly as it is stored on laptop computers.
  • Workgroup Database
A team of people who work on the same project is called a workgroup. The workgroup consists of less than 25 people. A type of database that is designed to support the workgroups is called a workgroup database. People in workgroups are connected with one another by LAN (local area network).
A database that stored on a central computer called a server. Workgroup database arises some problems. The main problem is of security and integrity of data when data is updated.
  • Department Database
In an organization, the functional unit is the department. An organization has different departments such as production, accounting, finance, marketing, has, etc. Department normally consists of 25 to 100 people. This type of database is designed to support the functions of a department.
  • Enterprise Database
A database that is designed to support the functions of a whole organization or many departments of any organization is called an enterprise database. The most important enterprise database is called a data warehouse. The content of a data warehouse is derived from many operational databases.
Suppose a university has many departments like Botany, English, Biology, CS, Agriculture, etc. Each department uses its own department database to maintain the functions of a department. 
Types of Users
Different types of users in a database environment play different roles.
  • Application Programmer
Professionals who write computer programs in a high-level language is called application programmer.
The programmer designs the application program according to the user's requirements.
  • End-User
Persons who interact with the application directly are called end-users. End users are responsible to insert, delete, and update data in the database.
Types of End Users
Naive Users
Those users who have no technical knowledge about the database management system. Naive users use the database through application programs. 
Sophisticated Users
Those users who are familiar with the structure of the database and facilities of the database management system. Sophisticated users use a query language such as SQL to perform the operations on a database.

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