All you need to know: Types of Databases By Kazi Rashid number:RAS14002716
September 28
2014
This document contains all the information about the advantages and disadvantages of different database models.
By Kazi Rashid
23/09/2014
Unit 21 Data Analysis and Design
All about Databases
Databases, we use them most of the time in our lives from organising files to storing music on our computers.
What are databases?
Databases are an organised way of storing data.
Before computers many databases were stored in paper folders. The disadvantage of this was that searching for files was very time consuming.
Now that we have computers life has become much easier for people. We are able to store lots of data through software, allowing people to
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A simple way to show the uses of flat file databases are using spread sheets. Looking at the table above the rows contain particular information about the person and the columns contain the different categories, this is known as the field.
What are the benefits of Flat file databases?
The main benefits of using a flat file data base is that they are easy to setup. This means that you don’t need expert knowledge on PCs to understand how to use them. They are also easy to understand as they have a simple design and layout. Users can access information from them simply when you have small amounts of data.
What are the negative of using a flat file database?
One of the main negatives about flat file databases are that data is often repeated as there is no referential integrity. Referential integrity means that there is a direct link of two different attributes in a database. This helps the computer understand that certain data does not need to be repeated continuously. Without this, to be able to change information about a particular person or item, then you have to update each entry you have made about the item. This can also be very time consuming.
Another negative about flat file databases is that you can make errors that can cause many problems with finding information. Looking at the example below, this table shows the number of purchases a single customer has
Databases are the heart of the company. This is where all crucial company information is stored and can be accessed. Some databases are stored on site others in remote locations or using clouds. The information within a database can be manipulated in any way that the company needs it to be. Databases help to quickly search and retrieve information, it saves from data redundancy.
UNIX systems use to use flat files for storing data. Word processors and spreadsheet software can create flat files. Health Care facilities might use this type of data file for posting employee phone lists.
Storing information is essential for many reasons; these include easy access and changing readability for all reading levels, the level of detail you are able to store, the choice to have various copies of the information in case of loss and ease of transfer.
It will create a clear purpose of the database and each one of the tables within making maintenance easy to perform on weekly basis and security breaches easy to spot. The quick and efficient accessibility of the data will improve timing in business reporting turnaround and therefor increase sales and profit by quick and easy business response to market changes. Security concerns will be limited by creating admin account that can control and modify the system and users that can access it without any system modifications allowed. Main server and system will be backed up on an external drive and supported by external power source so no data will be lost if database is not
One of the main components of a database is characters. Characters are letters, numbers and punctuation marks. You are using characters when you are typing a sentence for example. Another main component would be fields. Fields separate data in defined fields. When data is being entered even if you don’t have an answer for all fields a space is still left but it would be blank. If you have ever seen an excel spreadsheet that would give you an idea of how data is lined out into different fields. Records are a main database component as well. Records are a group of fields that are about one thing. An example would be social security numbers in a database of patients. Each patient would have a social security number and each social security number is in a field. That field would have the same information which is that patients social security number even though every ones is different and there would be many listed depending on how many patients was in the database. Gartee, R. (2011).
The tables in relational databases organize data in rows and columns, simplifying data access and manipulation. It is easier for manager to understand the relational model than put all data in one table. Besides, a relational database allows tables to be linked. And the linkage reduces data redundancy and allows data to be organized more logically. In a word, relational database is easier to control, more flexible, and more intuitive than approaches.
Some of the benefits of electronically storing are that you can store vast amounts of information in a very small space, you can reproduce and disseminate this information at great speed, documents are easy to modify. Documents can also be searched for easily, and it is hard for the documents to go missing.
Take inventory for example, Linton (n.d.) stated that “by using a database, you can replace manual methods of inventory control and reduce the time, cost and effort of inventory management” (para. 1). So basically, databases streamline the processes. When time is saved, productivity is increased. You can also look at this project to see how businesses utilize databases for their employee information. The forms that were created for this project show just how simplified inputting information has become. Almost everything is now in one database, and it can be shared across tables. It is the same concept for customer information.
Another benefit is the cost factor since it is less expensive to set up. The disadvantage of this method of file organisation is that if your files are destroyed by fire, you lose your data permanently.
2. Computerised System: The benefits of a computerised filing system are numerous, and include reduced costs to the company, benefits to the environment, increased ease of sorting, finding, and moving documents. Another benefit is that it allows the office to operate in a smaller area.
The database used should be open and industry standard to allow easy integration with other applications and easy movement of data in the future. The database
Databases allow us to easily store and retrieve data in a purely digital format. The strength of this is that large amounts of data can be stored and retrieved with minimal effort on the part of the user. Opposed to manually flipping through files, one can quickly pull up the requested data through a computer program. Many systems that were conventionally paper and file based have been converted to a digital format which are now stored in one or more databases.
The term database was popularized with the growth of the computer industry and is typically thought of as software used to store, index, manipulate, and retrieve information (Vaughn). Database software has been in use since the Census Bureau used a punch card system to meet the requirements for the collection, sorting, and reporting of data for the 1890 census (National Research Council). These earliest databases were flat file databases. The flat-file style of database works well for small amounts of data that need to be organized to be read and edited by hand. Flat file databases are made up of tables that store a set number of characters in each field. The individual tables are
According to Rouse (2006), “Computer databases typically contain aggregations of data records or files, such as sales transactions, product catalogs and inventories, and customer profiles” (Rouse, 2006). Databases can hold a sufficient of information that are deemed