Ch 1 - Introduction to Database Processing
In-Class Quiz - name five databases you have interacted with this week
Confidence level - discuss - redo you answer - confidence level
What is a database? A collection of Integrated Records
Organized Business Data - Telephone books; UW Registration System
Business Transactions - Blockbuster tracks checkout / returns / payments; Accounting
What types of databases have you been exposed to? Transaction or Organized Data
Think about the purposed of the database; Goal of the System
What are the complicated issues in designing each system?
Transaction systems require multiple postings to different accounts
UW Registration has concurrency issues; two people trying to get the same class
In-Class Quiz - data vs. information
and
Database Management System vs. Database
All databases deal with two major issues - 1) Acceptance of data and 2) manipulation of data into
information.
Data comes into the system without meaning; Information is data output of the system in a meaningful
format.
What is Data? Raw Facts What is Information? Meaningful Form
Database Management System Collects, stores and manipulates data (data input screens; Edit/Deletion of data screen) and
disseminates information (executes queries and creates reports)
Database - the structure data is stored in; contains Meta Data and the Data Dictionary
Microsoft Access is a Database Management System that contains a Database
Visual Basic can be used as a Database Management System but not a Database
SQL Server is a Database with limited Database Management capabilities
Types of Database Systems (from the textbook)…
Manual System - Customer Ledger Cards; Check Book Green Ledger
File-Processing System - Check Book in an Excel Spreadsheet
Microcomputer DBMS - Single-User Database System
Client/Server DBMS - Multiple-Users on the same LAN
Internet DBMS - Multiple-Users from different locations using Web to share data
Distributed DBMS - Multiple-Servers sharing the data processing load (bank)
Object-Oriented DBMS - processing/data management of objects (new engineering)
In-Class Quiz - List advantages for Manual System and Computerized Systems? (Think Accounting)
What are some of the reasons for implementing a database system?
Elimination of duplication of data
Data sharing
Centralizing file maintenance
Ease of creating information
Improve data consistency
Improve data accessibility and responsiveness
Improve Data Integrity - Number One
What are some of the PROBLEMS with moving from a manual to a computerized DBMS?
Special personnel
Cost (New Hardware/Software)
Conversion Costs (training, duplication of systems)
Problems with change
As Systems Analysts, you will be recommending business systems…
Why would you recommend each? And what problems should you be aware of?
Manual System Why? Unknown business rules or data needs; very small effort
Problem? Data sharing; Accuracy of data dependent on user
File-Processing System Why? Linear data; used for a single purpose
Problem? Inability to create relationships with other data
Microcomputer DBMS - Single-User Database System
Why? Accounting data; relational data; improve data integrity
Problem? Time; level of effort; some business rules can't be modeled; changing environment;
New developments in third-party software
Client/Server DBMS Why? Multiple-Users need to share/input data
Problem? Concurrency control issues; data locking Yes/No
Internet DBMS Why? Users can share/input data from any terminal with Web access; no special software needed;
multi-site businesses allow customers and vendors to interface directly
Problem? Harder to control; other people in your data; data corruptions; not all business functions
on Web; combining data for reporting
Distributed DBMS - sharing the data processing load
Why? Business cannot allow system downtime; banks, airlines
Problem? Cost in hardware, software (requires middleware) and staff
Object-Oriented DBMS Why? Intensive object processing (heat-loss photos)
Problem? Difficult to use; limited supply of experts; not cost effective to move from existing
system
*** InClass FiredUp – small groups page 23