8/30/2020 Lesson 1.

2 Database Usage and Environment

Lesson 1.2 Database Usage and Environment

Site: Xavier University eLearn Printed by: Florence Reyes

CC 14 C 1 - DATABASE SYSTEMS AND Date: Sunday, 30 August 2020, 12:17 AM
Course:
INFORMATION MANAGEMENT
Lesson 1.2 Database Usage and
Book:
Environment

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8/30/2020 Lesson 1.2 Database Usage and Environment

Description

1.2.1 Data and Databases

1.2.2 The Integrated Database Environment

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Table of contents

1. Data and Databases

1.1. What is DBMS
2. The Integrated Database Environment
2.1. Example of Integrated Database Environment
2.2. People in the Integrated Database Environment

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8/30/2020 Lesson 1.2 Database Usage and Environment

1. Data and Databases

Let us define terms again to avoid confusions:

Data - Data are raw facts. Fact about something, someone, entity, event, or other similar things. A Data
dictionary or Meta-data (data about the data) is also data.

Database - Database is a shared collection of logically related data, and a description of this data, designed to
meet the information needs of an organization.

Database Application - Is simply a program that interacts with the database at some point in its execution

Database System - Includes a collection of application programs that interact with the database

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8/30/2020 Lesson 1.2 Database Usage and Environment

1.1. What is DBMS

A Database Management System (DBMS) s a set of software programs that allow users to create, edit and
update data in database files, and store and retrieve data from those database files. Data in a database can be
added, deleted, changed, sorted, or searched all using a DBMS. It enables users to define, maintain, and control
access to the database.

Examples of a DBMS are: MySQL, PostgreSQL, MS Access, Oracle

Advantages of DBMS:

1. Improved availability: One of the principal advantages of a DBMS is that the same information can be
made available to different users.
2. Minimized redundancy: The data in a DBMS is more concise because, as a general rule, the information in
it appears just once. This reduces data redundancy, or in other words, the need to repeat the same data over
and over again. Minimizing redundancy can therefore significantly reduce the cost of storing information on
hard drives and other storage devices. In contrast, data fields are commonly repeated in multiple files when
a file management system is used.
3. Accuracy: Accurate, consistent, and up-to-date data is a sign of data integrity. DBMSs foster data integrity
because updates and changes to the data only have to be made in one place. The chances of making a
mistake are higher if you are required to change the same data in several different places than if you only
have to make the change in one place.
4. Program and file consistency: Using a database management system, file formats and system programs
are standardized. This makes the data files easier to maintain because the same rules and guidelines apply
across all types of data. The level of consistency across files and programs also makes it easier to manage
data when multiple programmers are involved.
5. User-friendly: Data is easier to access and manipulate with a DBMS than without it. In most cases, DBMSs
also reduce the reliance of individual users on computer specialists to meet their data needs.
6. Improved security: As stated earlier, DBMSs allow multiple users to access the same data resources. This
capability is generally viewed as a benefit, but there are potential risks for the organization. Some sources of

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information should be protected or secured and only viewed by select individuals. Through the use of
passwords, database management systems can be used to restrict data access to only those who should
see it.

Disadvantages of DBMS:

There are basically two major downsides to using DBMSs. One of these is cost, and the other the threat to
data security.

1. Cost: Implementing a DBMS system can be expensive and time-consuming, especially in large
organizations. Training requirements alone can be quite costly.
2. Security: Even with safeguards in place, it may be possible for some unauthorized users to access the
database. In general, database access is an all or nothing proposition. Once an unauthorized user gets into
the database, they have access to all the files, not just a few. Depending on the nature of the data involved,
these breaches in security can also pose a threat to individual privacy. Steps should also be taken to
regularly make backup copies of the database files and store them because of the possibility of fires and
earthquakes that might destroy the system.

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2. The Integrated Database Environment

Database Integration is an efficient approach to utilizing data. It is the process of combining information from
diverse sources, including databases, cloud, data warehouse, virtual databases, files, and more, to distribute a
clean and consolidated version enterprise-wide is known as database integration. The main benefit of database
integration is that it makes data accessible to multiple stakeholders and client applications without the need to
duplicate or move data.

The Business Aspect of Database Integration:

With big data being the driving source behind business intelligence and analytics, the importance of
database integration in ensuring the effective use of enterprise data cannot be ignored. Proper management
of database processes can convert the challenges associated with digital interactions into operational
efficiency, such as:

1. Gain More Control Over Information - database integration enables you to manage enterprise-wide
data or information from a centralized location, making it easier to identify bottlenecks, improve user
experience, and reduce delivery time.
2. Ensure Compliance with Regulations - compliance with national and international operating standards,
such as PCI, HIPAA, and GDPR is fast becoming a necessity for businesses dealing with digital
information. Database integration enables centralized management, which makes it easier to ensure
organization-wide compliance.
3. Create a Single Source of Truth - In the case of mergers or acquisitions, companies need to integrate
their data stored in heterogeneous databases and other information management systems to create a
unified view of reliable business data. Database integration tools help consolidate data from a wide
variety of sources, which is then cleansed, transformed, and loaded into the desired target system/s.

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2.1. Example of Integrated Database Environment

1. A University database such as XU SLMIS

DBMS - may be MSAccess, Oracle, or DB2. (XU SLMIS uses Oracle DBMS)
Users may be individuals on workstations (faculty and students)
Both users and application programs go through DBMS
Applications produce standard output, such as reports (grade reports)

2. Clinical Research Support

3. Tutorial Database Systems Environment

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2.2. People in the Integrated Database Environment

1. Data Administrator (DA)

Perform business requirements gathering
Analyze requirements Model business based on requirements (conceptual and logical)
Define and enforce standards and conventions (definition, naming, abbreviation)
Conduct data definition sessions with users
Manage and administer metadata repository and Data Administration CASE (modeling) tools
Assist Database Administration in creating physical tables from logical model
2. Database Administrator (DBA)
Define required parameters for database definition
Analyze data volume and space requirements
Perform database tuning and parameter enhancements
Execute database backups and recoveries
Monitor database space requirements
Verify integrity of data in databases
Coordinate the transformation of logical structures to properly performing physical structures
3. Database Designer
Responsible for defining the detailed database design, including tables, indexes, views, constraints,
triggers, stored procedures, and other database-specific constructs needed to store, retrieve, and delete
persistent objects.
4. Application Programmers
Write programs for other users
5. End-users
see a “view” of data
End-users can be:
Casual users - use query language
Naïve users - use programs
Secondary users - use database output

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