Transcript Computer Confluence - People Server at UNCW

Chapter 8
Database Applications
and
Implications
Topics
The Electronic File Cabinet: Database Basics
Beyond the Basics: Database Management Systems
No Secrets: Computers and Privacy
A look at Microsoft Access
“The goal is
information at
your
fingertips.”
Bill Gates
The Electronic File Cabinet:
Database Basics
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
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)
Database Anatomy
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
The view is a display of the
information in fields based
on a particular layout of field
data.
List View
Form View
Database Operations
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
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.
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
A look at Microsoft Access
An Access database
consists of 7 objects.
The object selected on the
left side of the screen has
corresponding elements on
the right side of the screen.
Tables
The fundamental structure of the database.
The Datasheet view looks much like a spreadsheet.
Use for data entry (Datasheet View)
Use for Data design (Design View)
Other Objects
Queries: used for finding data or
answering questions about the data base.
Forms: a direct link to a table. Provides a
friendlier user interface for entering or
editing data. Allows users to view one
record at a time.
Reports: used to summarize the data for
printing or for presentation purposes.
Other Objects (continued)
Pages: creates Web pages for viewing or
editing the data online.
Macros: used to automate tasks.
Modules: programs in Visual Basic to
customize the database