lesson 16
Database Management
Systems and Enterprise
Software
This lesson includes the following sections:
• Databases and Management Systems
• Working with a Database
• Enterprise Software
Databases and Database Management
Systems
• The Difference between Databases and DBMSes
• Database Basics
• DBMSes Basics
Databases and Database Management Systems
The Difference between Databases and DBMSes
• A database is a repository for collections of related
data or facts.
• A database management system (DBMS) is a
software tool that lets users add, view, and work
with the data in a database.
• Large databases and DBMS’ are commonly used by
companies, but many productivity applications are
built around database concepts.
Databases and DBMSes - Database Basics
Databases use three main structures for organizing
data:
• Fields, which store various pieces of data related
to a single entity.
• Records, or collections of fields relating to an
entity.
• Tables, which are collections of related records.
The two primary types of databases are flat-file
databases (with only one table) and relational databases
(with multiple, related tables).
Field
Record
PROFESSIONAL ADDRESS BOOK
Table
Databases and DBMSes - DBMS Basics
A DBMS allows users to access and manage the data
collected in a database.
Data management tasks (all done through the DBMS)
can be divided into three categories:
• Entering data into the database.
• Sorting (rearranging) the data in the database.
• Obtaining subsets of the data for use.
Working With a Database
• Creating Database Tables
• Viewing Records
• Sorting Records
• Querying a Database
• Generating Reports
Working With a Database –
Creating Database Tables
• The first step in building a database is to create its
tables. This means identifying, naming, and
organizing its fields to receive data.
• Databases can store the following types of fields:
Text Logical Numeric Date/Time
Memo Binary Counter
Working With a Database –
Creating Database Tables
• You can create forms that let you view and enter data
for one record at a time.
• Database tools such as masks can validate data as it is
entered and thus ensure the data is in the
correct format.
Working With a Database - Viewing Records
• A filter is a tool that lets you view records that
match a given criteria.
• Filters are helpful when searching for certain types
of information in a large database with many
records.
• A form can work with a filter, but enables you to
view information about a single record.
Working With a Database - Sorting Records
• Sorting means arranging the records in a database.
• A DBMS enables you to sort records alphabetically,
numerically, and chronologically.
• You can sort records in ascending (A-Z) order or
descending (Z-A) order.
Working With a Database -
Querying a Database
A query is a statement you define, which tells the DBMS
to find records that match criteria you specify.
Modern DMBS software provides built-in querying tools,
based on one or more of the following languages:
• SQL
• Query by Example (QBE)
• Xbase
Working With a Database -
Generating Reports
• A report is a subset of information from a database,
produced in printed form.
• You can generate the data for a report by using a
query, filter, or other tools.
• Reports can be formatted in a wide variety of ways.
Enterprise Software
• Enterprise software is a large-scale application based
on a DBMS, used by a large organization.
• Enterprise software can meet the needs of many
different users in different locations.
• In an enterprise, different users by have different
interfaces to the database, so they can work only with
the data they need.
lesson 16 review
• Define the terms database and database
management system (DBMS).
• List three tasks that a DBMS enables users to do.
• Differentiate between flat-file databases and
relational databases.
• List three steps needed to create a database.
• Explain the purpose of filters and forms.
• List three examples of query languages.
