DATABASE

A database is collection of information that is organized so that it can easily be accessed, managed and updated. It is also the collection of data or information which is held together in an organized or logical way.

Database are created to operate large quantities of information by inputting, storing, retrieving and managing that information.

Database Terminologies.

Data are logically organized into the following

Bit: (characters): A bit is the smallest unit of data representation (value of a bit may be a zero or one). Eight bits make a byte which can represent a character or a special symbol in a character code.Field: A field is single piece of information. It consist of group of characters. A data field represents an attribute (a characteristic or quality) of some entities such as object, person, place or event.Record: A record is a collection of related fields and usually rows in a data table or information about one person or one thing e.g Emmanuel Adeboye,2341, Male, JSS 3. It is a complete set of field that represents a collection of attributes that describe a real world entity. File: A group of related records . It is also collection of related records treated as a unit. Most files have a title, name or number to distinguish them from other files.

There are three classes of files and these include the following:

(I) Master File: This is Permanent in nature but it is regularly updated to show current position.(II) Reference File: It is used for reference purposes e.g names, addresses and tables of rate of things.(III) Movement Transaction File: This is used to update the master file e.g gas meter , tuck shop record and electric meter etc.

A Primary Key: A file is the field or fields whose value identifies a record among others in a data file. Database: Database is an integrated collection of logically related records or files. A database consolidates data from many applications. The data is managed by systems software called Database management System (DBMS).

DATABASE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM (DBMS)

DBMS is a suite of computer program that provides interface between users and database. It can be used to create, organize, update, manage and store records or data. These records or data can be about people, organization, products, customers or anything related to a particular organization.

Functions of DBMS The following are some functions of DBMS. Data definition. Creating data files. Querying the data. Storing data. Retrieving data. Protecting data. Reporting data. Ensuring data and database integrity. Ensuring data recovery etc.

Examples of DBMS There are several examples of DBMS and these include MS Access File Maker My SQL File Maker Pro. DB4, DB5, DB2 etc. Corel Paradox. Oracle. My SQL Server. Lotus Paradox etc

Assignment

(1) What is Database?(2) State Five functions of Database Management

System