Tuesday 27 September 2016

Chapter 10 Managing a Database 
September 26,2016. Monday

Databases, Data, and Information


•Database software,often called a database management  system(DBMS), allows users to :
-Create a computerized database 
-Add, modify, and delete data 
-Sort and retrieve data 
-Create forms and reports from the data

      Data integrity identifies the quality of the data

      Garbage in, garbage out (GIGO) points out the accuracy of a             computer’s output depends on the accuracy of the input 

•Valuable information should have the following characteristics:
-Accurate 
-Verifiable
-Timely
-Organized
-Accessible
-Useful 
-Cost-effective 


The Hierarchy of Data

      A character is one byte
     -Numbers, letters, space, punctuation marks, or other                       symbols
      A field is a combination of one or more related characters
     -Field name
     -Field size

     -Data type 
•Common data types include:
 -Text
 -Numeric
 -AutoNumber
 -Currency 
 -Date 
 -Memo
 -Yes/No 
 -Hyperlink 
 -Object
 -Attachment

      A record is a group of related fields
    –     A primary key uniquely identifies each record

      A data file is a collection of related records 

Maintaining Data
•File maintenance refers to the procedures that keep data current 
 -Adding records
 -Modifying records
 -Deleting records

      Users add new records to a file when they obtain new data 

      Users modify a record to correct inaccurate data or update old          data 

      When a record no longer is needed, a user deletes it from a file 

•Validation compares data with a set of rules or values to find out if  the data is correct
-Alphabetic/Numeric check
-Range check
-Consistency check 
-Completeness check
-Check digit
-Other checks

File Processing Versus Databases
•File processing system 
-Each department has its own set of files
-Used for many years
-Have data redundancy
-Isolate data 
•Database approach
-Programs and users share data 
-Reduce data redundancy 
-Improve data integrity 
-Share data
-Allows easier access
-Reduces development time 
-Can be more vulnerable

•File processing Example 

Database Management Systems

      data dictionary contains data about each file in the database and     each field in those files

•A DBMS provides several tools that allow users and programs to  retrieve and maintain data in the database
-Query language
-Query by example 
-Form
-Report generator 

      A query language consists of simple, English-like statements that       allow users to specify the data to display, print, or store

      Query by example (QBE) provides a GUI to assist users with               retrieving data
•How to use the simple query wizard

      A form is a window on the screen that provides areas for entering     or modifying data in a database 

      A report generator allows users to design a report on the screen,       retrieve data into the report design, and then display or print the       report 

•A DBMS provides means to ensure that only authorized users  access  data at permitted times 
-Access privileges
-Principle of least privilege
•A DMBS provides a variety of techniques to restore the database to a  usable form in case it is damaged or destroyed:
-Backup
-Log
-Recovery utility 
-Continuous backup 



Relational, Object-Oriented and Multidimensional Databases
      A data model consists of rules and standards that define how the       database organizes data 

      A relational database stores data in tables that consist of rows and      columns
      –     Each row has a primary key
      –     Each column has a unique name
      A relationship is a link within the data

      Structured Query Language (SQL) is a query language that allows       users to manage, update, and retrieve data
•An object-oriented database(OODB) stores data in objects
•Examples of applications appropriate for an object-oriented database include:
-Multimedia database
-Groupware database
-Computer-aided design database 
-Hypertext database

      A multidimensional database can store data in more than two           dimensions of data
   –     Sometimes known as a hypercube
   –     Can consolidate data much faster than a relational database
      A data warehouse is a huge database that stores and manages the     data required to analyze historical and current transactions 



Web Databases
•Databases on the Web allow you to :
-Shop for products or services
-Buy or sell stocks
-Search for a job 
-Make airline reservations
-Register for college classes 
-Check semester grades


Database Administration
      It is important to have a carefully designed database 

      Employees should learn how to use the data in the database             effectively
          Interact with database
          Identify new data for the database
          Maintain the database 

S

Monday 19 September 2016

Chapter 8 Types of Storage
September 19,2016.Monday

Storage
•Storage holds data, instructions, and information for future use 
•A storage medium is the physical material on
 which is a computer keeps data, instructions, and
 information.

Capacity is the number of bytes a storage medium
 can hold

A storage device is the computer hardware that
 records and/or retrieves items to and from
 storage media

Access time measures:
        –The amount of time it takes a storage device
          to locate an item on a storage medium
        –The time required to deliver an item from memory to the processor


Hard Disks              
A hard disk contains one or more inflexible, circular platters that use magnetic particles to store data, instructions, and information


Hard disks can store data using longitudinal
 recording or perpendicular recording

Characteristics of a hard disk include:
-capacity 
-Platters 
-Read/write 
-Cylinders 
-Sectors and Tracks 
-Revolutions per Minute 
-Transfer Rate
-Access Time

Formatting is the process of dividing the disk into
 tracks and sectors so that the operating system
 can store and locate data and information on the
 disk


How a hard Disk works 


The hard disk arms move the read/write head, which reads items and writes items in the drive
Location often is referred to by its cylinder


Types
A head crash occurs when a read/write head touches the surface of a platter
Always keep a backup of your hard disk


How Disk Cache works 


RAID (redundant array of independent disks) is a group of two or more integrated hard disks
A network attached storage (NAS) device is a server connected to a network with the sole purpose of providing storage
External hard disk is a separate free-standing hard disk that connects to your computer with a cable or wirelessly
Removable hard disk is a hard disk that you insert and remove from a drive

Internal and external hard disks are available in miniature sizes
A disk controller consists of a special-purpose chip and electronic circuits that control the transfer of data, instructions, and information from a disk to and from the system bus and other components of the computer
   -SATA
   -EIDE
   -SCSI
   -SAS

Flash Memory Storage
Flash memory chips are a type of solid state
 media and contain no moving parts
Solid state drives (SSDs) have several advantages
 over magnetic hard disks:
  -Faster access time 
  -Faster transfer rates 
  -Generate less heat and consume less power
  -Last longer

A memory card is a removable flash memorydevice that you insert and remove from a slot in a computer, mobile device, or card reader/writer
  -CompactFlash (CF)
  -Secure Digital (SD)
  -Secure Digital High Capacity (SDHC)
  -microSD
  -microSDHC
  -xD Picture card 
  -Memory stick 
  -Memory Stick Micro (M2)
USB flash drives plug into a USB port on a computer or mobile device

An ExpressCard module is a removable device that fits in an ExpressCard slot
Developed by the PCMCIA
Commonly used in notebook computers
An ExpressCard module is a removable device that fits in an ExpressCard slot
Developed by the PCMCIA
Commonly used in notebook computers
Cloud Storage
Cloud storage is an Internet service that provides
 storage to computer users

Users subscribe to cloud storage for a variety of reasons:
  -Access files from any computer 
  -Store large files instantaneously 
  -Allow others to access their files  
  -View  time-critical data and images immediately 
  -Store offsite backups
  -Provide data center functions
Optical Discs
An optical disc consists of a flat, round, portable disc made of metal, plastic, and lacquer that is written and read by a laser
Typically store software, data, digital photos, movies, and music
Read only vs. rewritable

How a laser Reads Data on an Optical Disc

Optical discs commonly store items in a single track that spirals from the center of the disc to the edge
Track is divided into evenly sized sectors

Care of optical discs




Archive disc
•Stores photos from an online photo center 
•Resolution usually is 7200 pixels per photo 
•Cost is determined by the number of photos being
 stored 

Picture CD
•Single-session CD-ROM that stores digital
 versions of film
•Typically uses a 1024 x 1536 resolution 
•Many photo centers offer Picture CD services



Other Types of Storage
-Tape 
-Magnetic stripe cards and smart cards 
-Microfilm and microfiche 
-Enterprise storage
Tape is a magnetically coated ribbon of plastic capable of storing large amounts of data and information
A tape drive reads and writes data and information on a tape
A magnetic stripe card contains a magnetic stripe that stores information
A smart card stores data on a thin microprocessor embedded in the card
Microfilm and microfiche store microscopic images
 of documents on a roll or sheet film


Enterprise storage stores huge volumes of data
 and information for large businesses
Uses special hardware for heavy use, maximum availability, and maximum efficiency

Putting It All Together