Databases

Databases

A database is an organized collection of data. It is the collection of schemas, tables, queries, reports, views and other objects. The data are typically organized to model aspects of reality in a way that supports processes requiring information, such as modelling the availability of rooms in hotels in a way that supports finding a hotel with vacancies.

Big Ideas in Databases

• Data modeling
• Entity relationship diagramming
• Entity relationships
• Working with entity relationships
• Normalization
• Unique identifiers
• Transforming From Conceptual Model to Physical Model
• Introduction to SQL
• SELECT Statements and Relational Database Technology
• Using the WHERE Clause
• Restricting Rows and Introduction to Functions
• Using Character, Number, and Date Functions
• Using Single Row Functions
• Fundamentals of Database Security
• Understanding Database Transactions
• MySQL: monitoring and performance
• MySQL: security
• ACID
• CRUD
• NoSQL (Advanced)

Standards

• Discuss the need for databases.
• Outline the differences between data and information.
• Outline the differences between an information system and a database.
• Describe the use of transactions, states and updates to maintain data consistency (and integrity).
• Define the term database transaction.
• Explain concurrency in a data sharing situation.
• Explain the importance of the ACID properties of a database transaction.
• Describe the two functions databases require to be performed on them.
• Explain the role of data validation and data verification.
• Explain data modeling
• Apply understanding of entity relationship diagramming
• Define entity relationships
• Use unique identifiers and normalization

• Define the terms: database management system (DBMS) and relational database management system (RDBMS).
• Outline the functions and tools of a DBMS.
• Describe how a DBMS can be used to promote data security.
• Define the term schema.
• Identify the characteristics of the three levels of the schema: conceptual, logical, physical.
• Outline the nature of the data dictionary.
• Explain the importance of a data definition language in implementing a data model.
• Explain the importance of data modelling in the design of a database.

• Define the following database terms: table, record, field, primary key, secondary key, foreign key, candidate key, composite primary key, join.
• Identify the different types of relationships within databases: one-to- one, one-to-many, many-to-many.
• Outline the issues caused by redundant data.
• Outline the importance of referential integrity in a normalized database.
• Describe the differences between 1st Normal Form (1NF), 2nd Normal Form (2NF) and 3rd Normal Form (3NF).
• Describe the characteristics of a normalized database.
• Evaluate the appropriateness of the different data types.

• Construct an entity-relationship diagram (ERD) for a given scenario.
• Construct a relational database to 3NF using objects such as tables, queries, forms, reports and macros.
• Explain how a query can provide a view of a database.
• Describe the difference between a simple and complex query.
• Outline the different methods that can be used to construct a query.

• Explain the role of a database administrator.
• Explain how end-users can interact with a database.
• Describe different methods of database recovery.
• Outline how integrated database systems function.
• Outline the use of databases in areas such as stock control, police records, health records, employee data.
• Suggest methods to ensure the privacy of the personal data and the responsibility of those holding personal data not to sell or divulge it in any way.

• Discuss the need for some databases to be open to interrogation by other parties (police, government, etc).
• Explain the difference between data matching and data mining.

• Describe the characteristics of different database models.
• Evaluate the use of object-oriented databases as opposed to relational databases.
• Define the term data warehouse.
• Describe a range of situations suitable for data warehousing.
• Explain why data warehousing is time dependent.
• Describe how data in a warehouse is updated in real time.
• Describe the advantages of using data warehousing.

• Explain the need for ETL processes in data warehousing.
• Describe how ETL processes can be used to clean up data for a data warehouse.
• Compare the different forms of discovering patterns using data mining.
• Describe situations that benefit from data mining.
• Describe how predictive modelling is used.
• Explain the nature of database segmentation.
• Explain the nature and purpose of link analysis.

• Describe the process of deviation detection.

See also

1. Please take a look at our SQL page

A unit of abstract mathematical system subject to the laws of arithmetic.

Offer a considered and balanced review that includes a range of arguments, factors or hypotheses. Opinions or conclusions should be presented clearly and supported by appropriate evidence.

Give a brief account.

Give a detailed account or picture of a situation, event, pattern or process.

Give the precise meaning of a word, phrase, concept or physical quantity.

Give a detailed account including reasons or causes.

Use an idea, equation, principle, theory or law in relation to a given problem or issue.

Apply knowledge or rules to put theory into practice.

Normalization is the process of organizing data in a database. This includes creating tables and establishing relationships between those tables according to rules designed both to protect the data and to make the database more flexible by eliminating redundancy and inconsistent dependency.

Provide an answer from a number of possibilities. Recognize and state briefly a distinguishing fact or feature.

Produce a plan, simulation or model.

Assess the implications and limitations; make judgments about the ideas, works, solutions or methods in relation to selected criteria.

Develop information in a diagrammatic or logical form.

Develop information in a diagrammatic or logical form.

Propose a solution, hypothesis or other possible answer.