CH 1 Databases and Database Users

Question 1

Define Data

Answer 1

By data, we mean known facts that can

be recorded and that have implicit meaning. For ex

Question 2

Define Database

Answer 2

• A database is a collection of related data.
• A database represents some aspect of the real world, sometimes called the miniworld
• A database is a logically coherent collection of data with some inherent meaning. A random assortment of data cannot correctly be referred to as a database.
• A database is designed, built, and populated with data for a specific purpose.

Question 3

Define DBMS

Answer 3

A database management system (DBMS) is a computerized system that enables users to create and maintain a database. The DBMS is a general-purpose software system that facilitates the processes of defining, constructing, manipulating, and sharing databases among various users and applications

Question 4

Main characteristics of database approach

Answer 4

• Self-describing nature of a database system
• Insulation between programs and data, and data abstraction
• Support of multiple views of the data
• Sharing of data and multiuser transaction processing

Question 5

1.4. What are the responsibilities of the DBA and the database designers?

Answer 5

Database designers are responsible for identifying the data to be stored in the data- base and for choosing appropriate structures to represent and store this data. These tasks are mostly undertaken before the database is actually implemented and popu- lated with data. It is the responsibility of database designers to communicate with all prospective database users in order to understand their requirements and to cre- ate a design that meets these requirements. In many

Question 6

1.5. What are the different types of database end users? Discuss the main activi-

Answer 6

• Casual end users occasionally access the database, but they may need differ- ent information each time. They use a sophisticated database query interfac
• Naive or parametric end users make up a sizable portion of database end users. Many of these tasks are now available as mobile apps
• Sophisticated end users include engineers, scientists, business analysts, and others who thoroughly familiarize themselves with the facilities of the DBMS

Question 7

user view,

Answer 7

. A view may be a subset of the database or it may contain virtual data that is derived from the database files but is not explicitly stored