Introduction to Database Concepts

Stored representations of objects and events that have meaning and importance in the user’s environment.

Data that have been processed in such a way as to increase the knowledge of the person who uses it.

Data that describes the properties or characteristics of end-user data and the context of that data.

An application program (or set of related programs) that is used to perform a series of database activities (create, read, update, and delete) on behalf of database users.

An integrated decision support database whose content is derived from the various operational databases.

A rule that cannot be violated by database users*

An organized collection of logically related data.

A person, place, object,event, or concept in the user environment about which the organization wishes to maintain data.

A software system that is used to create, maintain, and provide controlled access to user databases.

A traditional methodology used to develop, maintain, and replace informationsystems.

The first step in database development, in which the scope and general contents of organizational databases are specified.

A detailed,technology-independent specification of the overall structure of organizational data.

Data representation for a particular data management technology (such as the relational model).  In the case of a relational data model, elements include tables, columns, rows, primary and foreign keys, and constraints.

A set of specifications that details how data from a logical data model (or schema) are stored in a computer’s secondary memory for a specific database management system.  There is one physical data model (or schema)for each logical data model.

A conceptual blueprint or plan that expresses the desired future structure for the information systems in an organization.