Unit III: Database Management System
Chapter 14 - Database Management System
In this tutorial we will discuss the following topics
S. No. Topics
1 INTRODUCTION
2 Advantages of Data Base System
3 Relational Data Model
4 Commonly Used Terminologies in Relational Data Model
5 Keys
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Unit III: Database Management System
Chapter 14 - Database Management System
INTRODUCTION
Database is a collection of related information that is organized in such a
way that supports for easy access, modify and maintain data. The
contents of a database are obtained by combining data from all the
different sources in an organization.
A database management system (DBMS) or database system in short, is
software that can be used to create and manage databases.
Examples of database management systems are: Ms-Access, MySql,
PostgreSQL, SQLite, Microsoft SQL Server, Oracle, SAP, dBase, FoxPro, etc.
Advantages of Data Base System:
1) Reduce data redundancy (duplication of data):
It removes duplication of data because data are kept at one place
and all the application refers to the centrally maintained database.
2) Control data inconsistency to a large extent:
3) Database facilitate sharing of data
4) Enforce standards
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Unit III: Database Management System
Chapter 14 - Database Management System
5) Centralized databases can ensure data security
6) The DBMS serves as an interface between the database and end users
or application programs.
Relational Data Model
The most commonly used data model is Relational Data Model.
In the relational data model, database is represented as collection of
related tables.
Each table is termed as relation and has its unique name in the
relational data model.
Tables are formed by using rows and columns.
A row (horizontal subset) of a table represents a tuple or record, while
column (vertical subset) of a table represents an attribute.
Each row in the table represents a related set of values.
Relational Variable Attribute (Column) Heading
(Table Name)
STUDENT
AdmNo SName SClass Sec Average
101 Amit 12 A 85
105 Annu 12 D 65
203 Neena 11 B 95
205 Madhwan 10 B 75
305 Suresh 9 C 70
Tuple(Row)
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Unit III: Database Management System
Chapter 14 - Database Management System
Let us now understand the commonly used terminologies in relational
data model:
Relation: A relation may be thought of as a set of rows with several
columns. Table is also known as relation. A relation has the following
properties:
Row is a real world entity or relationship.
All values in particular column are of same kind.
Order of column is immaterial.
Each row is distinct.
Order of row is immaterial.
For each row, each column must have an atomic value (indivisible).
For a row, a column cannot have more than one value.
Domain: A domain is a pool of values from which the actual value
present in a given column is taken.
Tuple / Rows: This is the horizontal part of the relation. One row
represents one record of the relation. The rows of a relation are also
called tuples.
Attributes / Columns: The columns of a table are called attributes. The
column is the vertical part of the relation.
Degree: The number of attributes (columns) in a relation determines
the degree of relation. So, the degree of student table is 5
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Unit III: Database Management System
Chapter 14 - Database Management System
Cardinality: It is the number of rows (or tuples) in a table. So, the
cardinality of table Student is 6
Keys
Keys are an important part of a relational database and a vital part of the
structure of a table.
They help enforce integrity and help identify the relationship between
tables. Different types of keys are-
KEY DESCRIPTION
A primary key is an attribute or a group of attributes that can
Primary Key
uniquely identify tuples within the relation.
A candidate key is one that is capable of becoming the primary
Candidate Key
key. (i.e candidate for primary key position).
A candidate key that is not the primary key is called an alternate
Alternate Key
key.
A non-key attribute, whose value(s) are derived from the primary
Foreign Key key of some other table, is known as foreign key in its current
table.
Let us now understand the commonly used terminologies in relational
data model using below given Table ‘Student’:
AdmNo SName SClass Sec Average
101 Amit 12 A 85
105 Annu 12 D 65
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Unit III: Database Management System
Chapter 14 - Database Management System
203 Neena 11 B 95
205 Madhwan 10 B 75
305 Suresh 9 C 70
483 Umar 6 A 60
Fields (Attributes/Columns): AdmNo, SName, SClass, Sec and Average.
Tuples (Rows/Records):
101 Amit 12 A 85
Domain: Possible values of section are ('A','B','C','D')
Degree: 5 (Number of columns).
Cardinality: 6 (Number of rows).
Candidate Key: In the above table, AdmNo and SName has unique values.
Therefore, AdmNo and SName are candidate keys.
Primary Key: Out of the AdmNo and SName, AdmNo is the primary key.
Alternate Key: In the candidate key, AdmNo is the primary key and the
SName is the Alternate key.
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