Database Fundamentals
COMS2002
Lecturer: Dr. Hima Vadapalli
Semester I, 2019
Why do I need a database
course?
Learning Outcomes
• Know fundamental design concepts
• Evolution of database systems, relational database
systems
• Construct and interpret database blueprint
• Comprehend and apply business rules in developing a
database design
• Construct query statements
Teaching Schedule
Lecture : Tuesdays (08h00 – 09h45)
Tutorials: Alternate Thursdays (12h30 – 13h15)
Labs : Alternate Wednesdays (10h00 – 12h00)
Refer to cle.wits.ac.za for complete calendar
Assessments
Class Mark - 50%
Class test - 20%
Labs - 10%
Assignment - 20%
Exam Mark - 50%
Lab exam - 20%
Written exam - 30%
Final mark - Class mark + Exam mark
PRESCRIBED TEXTBOOK
Code of Conduct
Questions?
Database Systems
Objectives
The differences between data and information
What is a database and various types of databases
The importance of database design
How modern databases evolved from file systems
What are the database system’s main components
How a database system differs from a file system
The main functions of a database management system
(DBMS)
Data vs. Information
Data are raw facts
Information is the result of processing raw data to
reveal meaning
Information requires context to reveal meaning
Raw data must be formatted for storage, processing,
and presentation
Data are the foundation of information, which is the
bedrock of knowledge
Database and the DBMS
Database: shared, integrated computer structure that
stores a collection of data
End-user data: raw facts of interest to the end user
Metadata: data about data
Metadata provides description of data characteristics
and relationships in data
Complements and expands value of data
Database management system (DBMS): collection of
programs
Manage structure and control access to data
Role of the DBMS
DBMS is the intermediary between the user and the
database
Thus
DBMS enables data to be shared
DBMS integrates many users’ views of the data
Advantages of the DBMS
Advantages of a DBMS:
Improved data sharing
Improved data security
Better data integration
Minimized data inconsistency
Improved data access
Improved decision making
Increased end-user productivity
Functions of the DBMS
Stores data and meta data
Creates complex structures for data storage
Transforms data to conform to data structures
Creates a security system
Creates complex structures for multi user access
Performs backup and recovery
Provides access to data via utility programs and
programming language interfaces
Better data integration
Minimized data inconsistency