IST 220 – Intro to Databases

IST 220 – Intro to Databases Lecture 1 An Overview

Course Objectives • In this course, we will learn • Fundamentals of (relational) database • Several widely used database systems • DB design and implementation • Developing simple DB applications

Textbook • Exploring Microsoft Access 2002 • Grauer & Barber • Prentice Hall • Features • A good introduction to Access components and features • Demonstrating database design and implementation in a step-by-step setting • Introducing how to build interactive DB applications using macros and VBA modules

The Approach • Learn relational database through practices • Getting started with MS Access • Convenient templates for DB design and implementation • Easy-to-use tools • Extended functionalities • Widely used in various applications • Getting exposed to SQL with Oracle • universal standard query language • Industry strength RDBMS

Major Topics • Introductions to RDBMS and MS Access • DB building blocks • Tables – data storage • Queries – data retrieval and manipulation (insert, delete, update) • Forms and reports – user interfaces for displaying data/info • Data modeling & RDB design (steps and rules) • Application development using switchboards, as well as macros & VBA modules • SQL (using Oracle)

Class Plan & Grade Breakdown Quizzes (5 at 20 points each) 100 points Midterms (2 at 100 points each) 200 points Final 150 points Homework Assignments 150 points In-class Labs 200 points Projects and Presentation 200 points

What Is a Database? • To answer this question, we will discuss the following related concepts • Data • Information • Database • Relational database • Database management system • Database applications

Data • Definition by Merriam-Webster’s • factual information (as measurements or statistics) used as a basis for reasoning, discussion, or calculation • Raw data • Raw data (pieces of information) may not be so helpful without proper manipulation Data is the set of static value you store in the tables of the database (You store data.)

Information • Information is • Derived from raw data • Specially prepared for certain audiences • Before useful information can be obtained • Data needs to be defined and stored in a highly organized manner • Data should be easy to add into and retrieve from a database Information is data that is retrieved and organized in a way that is meaningful to the person viewing it. (You retrieve information.)

Database • A database is a collection of related raw data that is well-defined and organized. • Usually with data for several subjects (entities) within a certain application (domain) • Teams • Players • Games • Scores and technical statistics • In a relational database, data are stored in tables each of which is designated for a specific subject

Example – Hawks Roster Row (or record) Column (or field)

A 100-Year-Old Example Banked for Hara Talbot Aug 13 Adah Talbot ½ day in the afternoon $0.50

Database Management System • A DBMS is a software system which takes care of • Data definition • Data storage and retrieval • Data manipulation • Insertion • Modification • Deletion • Other functions, such as reporting • By using a DBMS, applications programmer can focus on business logic

File-Processing Systems X

File-Processing Systems • Records are stored in separate files • Drawbacks • Separated and isolated data • Data duplication • Application program dependency • Read from the product file for 20 bytes starting from location 1234, from the customer file ... • The difficulty of synchronize data changes • The difficulty of representing data in the users’ perspectives

Why DBMS?

Database Systems • DB technology was developed largely to overcome the limitations of file systems • Advantages • Integrated data • Reduced data duplication • Program/data independence • SELECT ProductName FROM Product WHERE ProductId = ‘P010’ • Easier to update • Easier representation of the users’ views

Relational Databases • The term relational is used because • In RDB, data are stored in tables. • Each table is a mathematical relation on a number of sets • Tables are related in a similar way Aug 13 Adah Talbot ½ day in the afternoon $0.50 Month {Jan, …, Dec} Day {1, 2, …, 31} Worker {…} Time worked {…} Wage {…}

RDBMS Capabilities • Data definition • Attributes – columns of your tables • Data types – date, text, numeric, money, etc • Relationships – among data in different tables • Data manipulation • Data control – permission to use data • Fans can read statistics on website • The Hawks manager can add, remove, and modify player records

Data Definition • A database is self-describing • Metadata – data used to define user data • or data about data Aug 13 Adah Talbot ½ day in the afternoon $0.50 Month Day Worker Time worked Wage Text Number Text Text Money {Jan, …, Dec} {1, 2, …, 31} {…} {…} {…} Field name Data type Valid range User data Metadata, or schema

Example– Data Definition in Access

Example – Relationship in Access

Components of DB Systems

DB Users • Types of Users • End users (naïve users) • Limited access to data, through forms or reports • Application developers • Use programming languages w/ DB accessibility • Sophisticated users • Use query languages and tools • Specialized users • Write special applications, such CAD, GIS, etc

DB Administrators • DBA is the central control over the system • DBA functions include • Schema definition and modification • Storage structure definition • Granting authorization for data access • Read only • Change (add and/or modify) • Create tables and modify schema • Routine maintenance

Uses of DBMS • A significant amount of related data • Data about different subjects • Multiple uses of these data • Data used by multiple users • Changes to data should be synchronized • Accesses to data must be controlled

Sample DB Applications • In a local area network

Sample DB Applications • In a wide area network or over the Internet

Characteristics of Types of DBs

IST 220 – Intro to Databases