Introduction to Database Systems
Organizations use data to keep track of their day-to-day operations. Such data is used to generate information, which in turn is the basis for good decisions. Data is likely to be managed most efficiently when it is stored in a database. Databases are involved in almost all facets and activities of our daily lives: from school to work, medical care, government, nonprofit organizations, and houses of worship. In this chapter, you will learn what a database is, what it does, and why it yields better results than other data management methods. You will also learn about various types of databases and why database design is so important.
Databases evolved from the need to manage large amounts of data in an organized and efficient manner. In the early days, computer file systems were used to organize such data. Although file system data management is now largely outmoded, understanding the characteristics of file systems is important because file systems are the source of serious data management limitations. In this chapter, you will also learn how the database system approach helps eliminate most of the shortcomings of file system data management.
Data consists of raw facts
The facts have not yet processed to reveal meaning to the end user
Information is the result of processing raw data to reveal the meaning of data
To reveal meaning, information requires context
Data is the foundation of information, which is the bedrock of knowledge
Knowledge implies familiarity, awareness, and understanding of information
Accurate, relevant, and timely information is the key to good decision making
Data management is a discipline that focuses on the proper generation, storage, and retrieval of data