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7.1 Database Concepts
7.1 Database Concepts
Database Management
Systems
Database Concepts
DB Overview
• Databases are used in applications or devices with software that
stores and retrieves information.
• Applications like face book, Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat, Google,
Mobile Phones and other portable devices all have the ability to store
and retrieve data. they all are able to achieve this using a database.
• Places like Banks, Hospitals, Airlines, Supermarkets all use
databases to store and retrieve data or information.
• Things like your National ID num, Student Reg num, hospital
records number or bank account number are all stored in a
database .
• We interact with databases daily in our lives like when we read our
emails or post something on face book or twitter
• Databases touch all aspects of our lives and can also be very large.
University Database Example
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The Range of Database
Applications
• Personal databases
• Workgroup databases
• Departmental/divisional databases
• Enterprise database
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Workgroup database with wireless
local area network
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Enterprise Database Applications
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An Enterprise Data Warehouse
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Components of a DB System
Components of a DB System
1. Users : Users may be of various type such as DB
administrator, System developer and End users.
2. Database application : Database application may
be Personal, Departmental, Enterprise and Internal
3. DBMS : Software that allow users to define, create
and manages database access, Eg. MySql, Oracle, MS
Access etc.
4. Database : Collection of related data.
Data Abstraction
• The major purpose of a database system is to provide users with
an abstract view of the system.
• The system hides certain details of how data is stored and
maintained. Complexity should be hidden from database users.
There are three levels of data abstraction:
1. The physical level
2. The conceptual level
3. The view level
The Three Levels of Data Abstraction
1. The Physical Level
– How the data are stored.
– E.g. index, B-tree, hashing.
View 1 View 2 View 3
– Lowest level of abstraction.
2. The Conceptual Level
– Next highest level of abstraction Conceptual Schema