Unit 2: Understanding Databases and DBMSes
A database is a collection of related data. Think back to the definition of database management (DM) in Unit 1. It was defined as an essential administrative function within an organization. DM describes how to acquire, store, protect, validate, and process related data. Organizations utilize software to effectively manage data. Database management systems (DBMS) are types of software used to manage data. This software allows an organization to store and retrieve data from a database. Thus, a DBMS is a collection of interrelated data and programs to readily access data. This unit will cover database information and how it is organized for easy access, managing, and updating. Also, we will review DBMS, which is system software for creating and managing databases in a systematic way.
Completing this unit should take you approximately 3 hours.
Upon successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:
- explain the fundamental properties of a database and a database management system;
- explain the objectives of data and information management;
- outline the database development process and software tools used to support development;
- describe DBMS components and administration; and
- design the logical and physical structure of a relational database for efficient data storage.
2.1: Database Tools
The phrase "database tool" is a shared term for software and services used to perform database administration tasks. Most database tools perform similar tasks. However, it is difficult to find one database tool that can perform all database administration tasks. In the next sections, you will learn about database design and various database software tools.
2.1.1: Database Design and terms
Database design is a process to facilitate the design, development, implementation, and maintenance of an enterprise DBMS. Enterprise systems are a combination of hardware and software for operational use. Organizational operations typically consist of a series of functions and tasks necessary to implement a business process. Therefore, an enterprise DBMS manages reporting and manages more than one function within an organization.
Read this chapter. Pay attention to the properties of a database and DBMS. Then, complete the exercise at the end of the chapter.
2.1.2: Database Software
There are various types of database software tools. This is because one software system is not designed to manage all administrative functions. Therefore, multiple database software tools may be utilized to run and manage day-to-day and strategic operations.
Read this chapter and focus on the advantages of each of the database characteristics. Remember to take notes on the "key terms". Then, complete the exercises at the end of each chapter to evaluate what you have learned about the use of various database tools.
2.1.3: Data Administration
Database administration includes those activities conducted by a database administrator (DBA). DBAs ensure that databases are available and ready for use when needed by their organization. Some DBA duties and responsibilities include security, monitoring, troubleshooting, and operation planning.
Recall the summary report on database administrators that you read earlier in Unit 1 (1.3.4). Pay attention to the tasks, skills, knowledge, and abilities. What is the importance of a DBA? What are some strengths and weaknesses of organizations that do and do not have DBAs?
2.2: Components of DBMS
The purpose of a DBMS is to develop a system that will store and analyze data. A typical database stores user data as metadata. For example, metadata can be a document designed by compiling customer name, date of purchase, item of purchase, and zip code. Therefore, a DBMS is a software tool used to better understand data stored within the database system.
2.2.1: The Essentials
DBMS Software is a set of designated programs that manages and regulates the database. DBMS Hardware consists of the physical components (computer, hard drive/disk) needed before any data can be successfully stored. DBMS Data is the primary reason for the DBMS design. Remember, the DBMS was created to store and analyze data to support organizational operations and planning. DBMS Procedures are the organization's general instructions on how to use a DBMS to support a specific organizational process. This includes setup, install login, logout, management process, and report generation. DBMS Database Access Language is a simple language to write commands to either access, insert, update, or delete data stored in a database. Structured Query Language (SQL) is the most commonly used access language.
Watch this video. Pay attention to the principal components of DBMS. Use what you learned and compare the components of DBMS. Why are the components essential to developing a DBMS? How would you justify why DBMS components are necessary for data-driven decision-making?
2.2.2: How Organizations Use DBMS
In Unit 1, you learned about data governance. Remember, data governance was explained as a continuous process of frameworks. The frameworks improve data quality and increase confidence in outcomes resulting from data analysis. This can also be applied to how organizations manage data and information.
Data is the foundation for information and knowledge for any organization. However, this data must be relevant, complete, accurate, meaningful, and actionable. Therefore, data management is a function to plan, control and deliver data effectively and efficiently in an organization. Data management and information influence data quality and confidence in results.
Different departments within an organization use data and information differently. However, you learned that data administrators (DBA) play a critical role to ensure data is readily available for each department when needed. DBAs are also essential in how organizations will manage data and information.
Data is the foundation of information and knowledge. Data should be relevant, complete, accurate, meaningful, and actionable. Databases are a collection of related data. Organizations utilize various types of DBMS software to manage information in these databases.
Remember, various software tools are needed for DBMS. This is due to not having one DBMS software that can perform every administrative function for every organization across industries. Therefore, understanding databases and DBMS is critical to producing reliability and integrity in data used for operational and strategic planning. Unit 3 will cover the first step of designing a database.
Watch this video on combining data management with organizational change. Pay attention to the process model and focus on how the presenter applied a data governance framework. Take notes on how each department utilized data to measure objectives and performance.
Study Guide: Unit 2
We recommend reviewing this Study Guide before taking the Unit 2 Assessment.
Unit 2 Assessment
- Receive a grade
Take this assessment to see how well you understood this unit.
- This assessment does not count towards your grade. It is just for practice!
- You will see the correct answers when you submit your answers. Use this to help you study for the final exam!
- You can take this assessment as many times as you want, whenever you want.