Introduction to
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Databases
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What is Data?
Data is a collection of a distinct small unit of information. It
can be used in a variety of forms like text, numbers, media,
bytes, etc.
It can also be stored in pieces of paper or electronic
memory.
Word 'Data' is originated from the word 'datum' that means
'single piece of information.'
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What is Database?
A database is a collection of data that is organized, which is
also called structured data.
It can be accessed or stored in a computer system.
And is managed through a Database Management System
(DBMS), a software used to manage data. Database refers
to related data in a structured form.
z What is Database?
The main purpose of the database is to operate a large
amount of information by storing, retrieving, and managing
data.
There are many dynamic websites nowadays which are
handled through databases. For example, a model that
checks the availability of rooms in a hotel. It is an example
of a dynamic website that uses a database.
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What is Database?
There are many databases available like MySQL, Sybase,
Oracle, MongoDB, Informix, PostgreSQL, SQL Server, etc.
Modern databases are managed by the database
management system (DBMS).
z Evolution of Databases
File-Based Database (1968)
In the year 1968 File-Based database were introduced. In
file-based databases, data was maintained in a flat file.
Though files have many advantages, there are several
limitations. Example were Punch card systems used in early
data processing.
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Evolution of Databases
File-Based Database (1968)
A punched card is a piece of card stock that
stores digital data using punched holes.
Punched cards were once common in data
processing and the control of automated
machines.
Punched cards were widely used in the 20th
century, where unit record machines,
organized into data processing systems,
used punched cards for data input, output,
and storage
z Evolution of Databases
Hierarchical Data Model
1968-1980 was the era of the Hierarchical Database.
Prominent hierarchical database model was IBM's first
DBMS. It was called IMS (Information Management
System).
Organized data in a tree-like structure, with parent-child
relationships. Efficient for specific applications but lacked
flexibility.
z Evolution of Databases
Hierarchical Data Model
z Evolution of Databases
Network Model (1970s)
The Network Model in a Database Management System
(DBMS) is a data model that allows the representation of
many-to-many relationships in a more flexible and complex
structure compared to the Hierarchical Model. It uses a
graph structure consisting of nodes (entities) and edges
(relationships) to organize data, enabling more efficient and
direct access paths.
z Evolution of Databases
Network Model (1970s)
z Evolution of Databases
Relational databases (1980s - present)
Relational databases gained popularity in the 1980s, and object-
oriented databases in the 1990s. NoSQL databases emerged
more recently in response to the internet’s rapid expansion and
the demand for unstructured data processing at a faster rate.
These days, self-driving databases and cloud databases are
revolutionizing the ways in which data is gathered, stored,
handled, and used. Some of the most well-known RDBMSs
include MySQL, PostgreSQL, MariaDB, Microsoft SQL Server,
and Oracle Database.
z Evolution of Databases
Relational databases (1980s - present)
z Evolution of Databases
Introduction to NoSQL (2000s - present)
Developed to handle large volumes of unstructured data and offer
high scalability. NoSQL databases include document stores, key-
value stores, and graph databases. Example: MongoDB for
document storage and Redis for key-value storage. Diagram:
Visual representation of a document store.
z What is an DBMS
A Database management systems (DBMS) is collection of programs that enables
users to create and maintain a database. The DBMS is general purpose software
system that facilitates the processes of defining, constructing, manipulating and
sharing database among various users and application.
Defining a database involves specifying the data types, structures and constraints
of the data to be stored in the database.
Constructing the database is the process of storing the data on some storage
medium that is controlled by the DBMS.
Manipulating a database includes functions such as querying the database to
retrieve specific data, updating the database to reflect changes in the miniworld
and generating reports from the data.
Sharing a database allows multiple users and programs to access the database
simultaneously.
z Relational Database Management System
Provides An interface for operations like creation, deletion,
modification, etc. is provided by DBMS.
DBMS allows the user to create their databases as per their
requirement.
DBMS accepts the request from the application and provides
specific data through the operating system. (for testing)
DBMS contains a group of programs that acts according to the
user’s instruction.
z Why should we use a DBMS
• Reduction in Data Redundancy.
• Reduction in Inconsistency.
• Sharing of Data.
• Enforcement of Standards.
• Improvement of Data Security.
• Maintenance of Data Integrity.
• Better Interaction with Users.
• Efficient System.
z Components of a Database System
The components of a database system include:
1. Hardware: The physical devices used for storage and processing
(e.g., servers, storage disks).
2. Software: The DBMS (Database Management System) software
that manages data access and control.
3. Data: The actual data stored in the database, organized in tables,
records, and fields.
4. Users: Individuals who interact with the database (e.g., database
administrators, end-users).
5. Procedures: Instructions and rules for using the database system.
6. Query Language: The language (e.g., SQL) used to interact with
and manage the data.
z Core Concepts in Databases
• A database is an organized collection of structured
information, typically stored electronically in a computer
system.
• The key elements of a database include tables, records,
fields, and keys, which organize the data and ensure its
integrity.
z Core Concepts in Databases
• A table is a collection of related data entries, similar to a
spreadsheet, where each row represents a record, and each
column represents a field.
| CustomerID | FirstName | LastName | Email |
|------------|-----------|-------------|--------------------|
|1 | John | Doe |
[email protected] |
|2 | Jane | Smith |
[email protected] |
Records: A record is a single, complete set of related data within a
table. Each row in the table is considered a record. For example, in the
table above, each row represents a customer.
Fields: A field (or attribute) defines a specific piece of data stored in
each record. For example, in the customer table, fields include
FirstName, LastName, and Email.
z Understanding Data Types
• Data types define the kind of value a field can hold. Some
common data types include:
• Integer: Whole numbers (e.g., CustomerID).
• Text/String: Letters and numbers (e.g., FirstName).
• Date: Dates (e.g., OrderDate).
• Boolean: True or False values (e.g., IsActive).
z Primary Keys – Definition and Purpose
• Primary Key (PK):A primary key is a unique identifier for each
record in a table.
• It ensures that each record can be uniquely identified.A
primary key cannot be NULL and must contain unique values.
Purpose:
• Guarantees the uniqueness of each record.
• Enforces the integrity of the database.
z Relationships in the Database
One-to-One (1:1) Relationships
• Definition: A one-to-one relationship means that a single
record in one table is related to exactly one record in another
table.
• Ex. In a Person and Passport scenario, each person has only
one passport, and each passport belongs to only one person.
One-to-Many (1:Many) Relationships
• Definition: In a one-to-many relationship, a single record in
one table is related to multiple records in another table.
• A Customer can place multiple Orders, but each order is
placed by only one customer.
z Relationships in the Database
• Many-to-Many (M) Relationships Definition: In a many-to-
many relationship, multiple records in one table are related to
multiple records in another table.
• Example:
• Students can enroll in many courses, and each course can
have many students. To represent this, a junction table called
Enrollments is used to link the Students and Courses tables.
z Why is there a need to study database
as a Business Administration Student
Databases play a critical role in managing and organizing
data efficiently in today’s data-driven world.
From small businesses to large enterprises, databases
offer a reliable way to store, retrieve, and manipulate
data, enabling users to make informed decisions and drive
growth.
Understanding the types, structures, and purposes of
databases is essential for anyone working with data,
whether in tech, business, or any other field.
As technology continues to evolve, so too will the
capabilities and importance of databases, making them a
foundational element in the digital age.
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References
https://www.geeksforgeeks.org/what-is-database/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Punched_card
https://cloud.google.com/learn/what-is-a-relational-database
https://www.slideshare.net/slideshow/introduction-history-of-dbms/29604555
