Date post: | 31-Oct-2014 |
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Chapter 8
Database Applications
and Implications
The Electronic File Cabinet: Database Basics
Beyond the Basics: Database Management Systems
No Secrets: Computers and Privacy
Topics
“The goal is information
at your fingertips.”
Bill Gates
Database software is…
application software (like word processing and spreadsheet software)
designed to maintain databases (collections of information)
A Database is…
a collection of information stored in an organized form on a computer
The Electronic File Cabinet: Database Basics
What Good Is a Database?
An electronic database allows you to:
store large quantities of information
retrieve information quickly
organize and reorganize information
print and distribute information in a variety of ways
Database Anatomy
A database is a collection of one or more database files
A file is a collection of related information (records)
A record is the information relating to one person, product, or event
A field is a discrete chunk of information in a record
Database Anatomy
Database Anatomy
The view is a display of the information in fields based on a particular layout of field data.
Form ViewList View
These operations are used to manipulate the information in the database:
Import: receives data in the form of text files
Browse: navigates through information
Query: finds records that match a specific criteria
Sort: rearranges records (alpha or numerically)
Report: printout of an ordered list of records
Database Operations
Special-Purpose Database Programs
Specialized database software is preprogrammed
for specific data storage and retrieval purposes.
Geographical information systems (GISs): include geographic and demographic data in map form.
Special-Purpose Database Programs
Personal information managers (PIMs): an electronic organizer that is customized to fit individual needs.
A file manager is a program that allows users to
work with one file at a time.
Beyond the Basics: Database Management Systems
Beyond the Basics: Database Management Systems
Database Management Systems (DBMS)
is a program or system of programs that can manipulate data in a large collection of files
redundant information is stored as a key field
different users see different points of view
may be interactive
What Makes a Database Relational?
A database is relational when files are related to each other, such as this Student ID field in the Student file.
Database Trends
Real-Time Computing Allows instant access to information
Downsizing and Decentralizing Using a client/server approach
Data Mining Allows technology to find valuable information
Database Trends
Databases and the Web Information is available via a company’s Intranet and
the Internet
Object-Oriented Databases Make database construction and usage more flexible
Database Trends
Multimedia Databases Serve as an index for art, photographs, maps, video
clips, and other media files
Natural Language Databases Allows users to ask for data using the same language
used to address humans
The Privacy Problem
More than 15,000 specialized marketing databases contain 2 billion names.
These databases contain characteristics like age, income, religion, and even sexual preference.
Rules of Thumb:Your Private Right
Your social security number is yours – don’t give it away
Say no to direct mail and phone solicitations, sharing of personal information, and pollsters
Know your electronic rights
Big Brother and Big Business
Government uses record matching to locate criminals ranging from tax evaders to mass murderers.
Credit bureaus collect information about us and allow us to borrow money where ever we go.
Big Brother and Big Business
With the increased amount of information available:
Data errors are common
Data can become nearly immortal
Data isn’t secure