Transcript ppt_08

Chapter 8
Database Applications
and
Implications
 2002 Prentice Hall
Topics
The Electronic File Cabinet: Database Basics
Beyond the Basics: Database Management Systems
No Secrets: Computers and Privacy
“The goal is
information at
your
fingertips.”
Bill Gates
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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
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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
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Database Anatomy
A database is a collection of
one or more database files
A file is a collection of related
information (records)
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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
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Database Anatomy
The view is a display of the
information in fields based
on a particular layout of field
data.
List View
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Form View
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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
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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.
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Special-Purpose
Database Programs
Personal information managers (PIMs): an
electronic organizer that is customized to fit
individual needs.
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Beyond the Basics:
Database Management Systems
A file manager is a program that allows users to
work with one file at a time.
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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
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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.
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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
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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
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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
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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.
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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
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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.
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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
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