14% Lesson 1 Introduction to Databases, Information and Data (7 Questions)
Competency 4017.1.1: Introduction to Information and Data
Explain how data, databases, and data management is used in today's organization
Explain what data is and how is it stored
Explain the different types of data...
14% Lesson 1 Introduction to Databases, Information and Data
(7 Questions)
Competency 4017.1.1: Introduction to Information and Data
Explain how data, databases, and data management is used in today's
organization
➢ Explain what data is and how is it stored
➢ Explain the different types of data
➢ Define file structures
➢ Explain how data was stored and retrieved before the use of
database management systems
1.1 Why Databases
• Best way to store and manage data
• Makes data persistent and shareable in a secure way
• Essential for organizations to know information about Customers,
Products, Employees, Debtors / Creditors
• Helps organizations use data / information as a resource to
make decisions
1.2 File Structures
• File-Based (Prior to DBMS)
o Attempt to computerize old manual filing system
o Was easy to retrieve small amounts of information from
o As data grew, it became difficult to locate and retrieve
information
o Retrieval speed depended on file structure and how
data was organized within the structure
• File types utilized in a file-based system
o Flat Files
• No internal hierarchy
• Plain text or Binary files
• Data that is unstructured
• Uses a lot of computer memory to access, edit, and
rewrite files after use
o Heap Files
• Unsorted set of records
• Uniquely identified by record ID
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, WGU C175 Data Management Foundations Study Guide
o Allows Heap file to be inserted or deleted using ID
o Index Files
• File that stores a list of Look Up Field values from data file
that includes the location (address) in the data file of the
corresponding record
• Smaller than the entire record, usually fits in main
memory for quick look up
• Lists keywords and phrases that are in a particular file
• Becomes a pointer to the location in the file where the
information can be found when stored with keywords
and phrases
o Hashed Files
• Uses hash functions to decide where records should be
placed on a disk
• Allows for faster data look up without the use of an index
file
1.3 Data versus Information
• Data
o Data is the Foundation of Information
o Consists of Raw Facts not yet processed to reveal meaning
o Raw facts / data will need to be transformed to better
understand what it is that you have
o Must be properly formatted for storage, processing, and
presentation
• Information
o Information is the Bedrock of Knowledge
o Produced by Processing Raw Data to reveal its meaning
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• Processing may be as simple as organizing it to reveal
patterns or complex as making forecast / drawing
inferences using system statistical modeling
o Key to good decision making and business survival is
accurate, relevant, and timely information
• Knowledge
o Information and facts about a specific subject
o Implies familiarity awareness and understanding of Information
o Key Characteristic is that New Knowledge can be derived from
Old Knowledge
• Data Management
o A discipline that focuses on the proper generation,
storage, and retrieval of data
o Is it core activity for any business, government
agency, service organization, or charity
1.4 Introducing the Database
• Database
o Shared, integrated computer structure that stores:
• End User Data
o Raw facts of interest to the end user
• Metadata (Also called: A collection of Self-Describing Data)
o Data about data through which data is
integrated and managed
o Describes data characteristics and set of
relationships that links data found in the
database
o Stores information like:
• Name of each data element
• Type of values (numeric, dates, or text)
on each data element
• Whether the data element can be left empty
o Complements and expands the value and use of the
data
• Role of the DBMS
o An intermediary between user and database
o Presents the end user with a single integrated view of
data in a database
o Receives all application requests and translates them
into complex operations
o Hides database complexities from the application programs and
users
o Provides a framework facilitate data quality initiatives
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, WGU C175 Data Management Foundations Study Guide
o May be written using Visual Basic, NET, JAVA, C#, or through
a DBMS utility program
• Advantages of a DBMS
o Enables data sharing across multiple applications / users
o Integrates different user views of data into a single repository
o Makes data management more efficient and effective
o Improves Data Sharing
• Creates an environment in which users have better
access two more and better-managed data
o Improves Data Security
• Provides framework for better enforcement of data /
security policies
o Better Data Integration
• Promotes integrated view of operations and the
ability to see data relations or impact actions have in
other areas
o Minimizes Data Inconsistency
• Data Inconsistency exists when different versions of
the same data appear in different places
• Greatly reduced in a properly designed database
o Improves Data Access
• Easier to produce quick answers to a query / ad hoc query
o Query is a specific request / question
o Ad Hoc Query is a “Spur-or-the-Moment” question
o Query Result Set is a collection of data rows
returned by a query
o Improves Decision Making
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