Chapter 8

Database Applications

and Implications

The Electronic File Cabinet: Database Basics

Beyond the Basics: Database Management Systems

No Secrets: Computers and Privacy

Topics

“The goal is information

at your fingertips.”

Bill Gates

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

The Electronic File Cabinet: Database Basics

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

Database Anatomy

A database is a collection of one or more database files

A file is a collection of related information (records)

A record is the information relating to one person, product, or event

A field is a discrete chunk of information in a record

Database Anatomy

Database Anatomy

The view is a display of the information in fields based on a particular layout of field data.

Form ViewList View

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

Database Operations

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.

Special-Purpose Database Programs

Personal information managers (PIMs): an electronic organizer that is customized to fit individual needs.

A file manager is a program that allows users to

work with one file at a time.

Beyond the Basics: Database Management Systems

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

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.

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

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

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

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.

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

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.

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