DB Topic 2
DB Topic 2
DB Topic 2
Topic 2:
Databases and Database Management
Systems
Learning Outcomes
By the end of this topic, students will be able to:
Describe the main features of a database system
Understand the role of the database management
system
Describe pre-database information systems
Identify some of the commercial products available
Understand the importance of the relational model
and identify some alternatives to it
Data in MS Access
14 rows selected.
SQL>
Metadata - 1
Name Type Length Description
Student Name Character 50 Students
name
Student ID Number 8 Unique identification
number for a student
Date of Birth Date 8 Students date of birth
in the format
01.01.80
Metadata in MS Access
SQL>
Metadata - 2
Metadata is data that is about data.
It is the way in which the database keeps
information about its own structure.
It is important in understanding how data can be
independent of applications in the database
approach.
Metadata is stored in the data dictionary.
Activity
Define metadata for data about the following:
- Students in a college database
- Books in a library system
- Holidays booked by a person at a workplace
Rental File
User Rental
Processing
Application
DBMS
User Other
Application
Data
Rental Application Requests METADATA
User Processing DATA
Application Data
Application Requests
DBMS
Other Database
User Application Data Management Database
System
Application programs might be written in a programming
Language, such as Visual Basic or C++, or it might
be created through a DBMS utility e.g. Accesss forms wizard.
Common Applications
Forms
Reports
Web-applications
Batch processes
DBMS Architecture
Kernel
Toolkit
Interface
Database
Others
14%
MySQL
DB2 29%
10%
MS Access /
Sql SERVER
24%
Oracle
23%
Commercial Implementations
Oracle
Microsoft SQL Server
MySQL
Data Models
Hierarchical
Network
Relational
Object-oriented
Deductive
Post-relational
References
Benyon-Davies, P. (2003). Database Systems, 3rd
edition. Palgrave Macmillan. Chapters 5 and 6.
Connolly, T. & Begg, C. (2004). Database
Systems: A Practical Approach to Design,
Implementation and Management, 4th edition.
Addision Wesley. Chapter 1.
Creative Systems Design website:
http://online.creativesystemdesigns.com/projects/d
atabases.asp (Retrieved 6/04/2011).
Any Questions?