- Advantages: • Establishing Relationships: Relational databases use primary keys and foreign keys to establish links between tables, ensuring non-repetitive data storage.. • Security: R
Database design
A database is an organized electronic collection of structured data, managed by a database management system (DBMS) Together with related applications, they form a database system Commonly, data is structured in rows and columns within tables, enhancing processing and querying efficiency This allows for easy access, management, editing, updating, and organization of data Most databases utilize structured query language (SQL) for data manipulation and retrieval.
In today's digital landscape, organizations have access to a wide range of database types, and selecting the most appropriate one hinges on the intended use of the data This presentation will delve into several essential database categories.
• Simplicity: Flat file databases are easy to deploy, requiring no complex installations and reducing development complexity They are
5 user-friendly, saving development time and resources, cost-effective, and have easily readable source code.
• Data Organization: Data is structured in an orderly manner.
• Uses delimited files, where a specific character is used to separate data columns.
• Weak security, providing minimal safeguards for data integrity and security.
• High data redundancy due to data duplication in multiple locations.
• User-Friendly: Hierarchical databases make data navigation simple and fast, thanks to their one-to-many data organization.
• Suitable for Various Applications: This tree-like structure is ideal for use cases such as website drop-down menus or computer folders in operating systems like Microsoft Windows OS.
• Easy Addition and Deletion of Information: The database allows for easy addition and removal of information without affecting the entire database.
• Lack of Flexibility, struggling to handle complex data structures, especially relationships where child nodes have multiple parent nodes.
• Inefficient Querying, as the tree-like structure requires top-to-bottom sequential searches, which can be time-consuming when searching for specific data.
• Data Redundancy due to storing data in multiple entities to conform to the hierarchical structure.
Figure 1: Example of flat file databases
Structured data organization in databases follows a tree-like structure, where data is arranged in tiers In this setup, each child table is associated with a single parent table, while each parent table can connect to multiple child tables These tables are interlinked through relationships, creating a coherent and organized framework for data management.
• Ease of use: The one-to-many data organization simplifies navigating the database, making it quick and straightforward.
• Versatility: This tree-like structure is well-suited for various applications, such as creating website drop-down menus or organizing computer folders in operating systems like Microsoft Windows OS.
• Effortless data addition and removal: The database allows for the easy addition and deletion of information without impacting the entire database.
• Supported by major programming languages: Most major programming languages offer functionality for working with tree-
• Lack of flexibility: Hierarchical databases lack flexibility and may struggle to handle complex data structures, particularly when dealing with relationships where child nodes have multiple parent nodes.
• Inefficient querying: The tree-like organization requires sequential top-to-bottom searches, which can be time-consuming when searching for specific data.
• Data redundancy: Storing data in multiple entities to conform to the hierarchical structure can lead to redundancy and inefficiency.
• *Database management systems must traverse the entire model from top to bottom, resulting in significantly slow query performance Please refer to the diagram below for reference.
Figure 2: Example of hierarchical databases
Relational databases are a type of database that organizes and connects data points through a user-friendly relational model In these databases, each table consists of rows that represent unique records identified by a key, while the columns contain various data attributes This structure allows for easy establishment of relationships among different data points, as each record typically includes values for each attribute.
• Establishing Relationships: Relational databases use primary keys and foreign keys to establish links between tables, ensuring non-repetitive data storage.
• Speed: Relational databases offer relatively high speed due to their simplicity and built-in optimizations Applications usually run at a reasonable speed when using relational databases.
• Security: Relational databases provide security through user authentication, allowing the confidentiality of specific tables and restricting access to authorized users Users are confined to working with designated tables.
• Simplicity: Compared to other database models, relational databases are simpler, avoiding complex structuring and query processing They typically require straightforward SQL queries for data manipulation.
Implementing a relational database can be costly, as it requires purchasing individual software licenses and hiring skilled technicians for ongoing maintenance This financial burden can be particularly challenging for businesses with limited budgets.
The performance of relational databases is significantly influenced by the number of tables they contain, with a higher table count often resulting in slower query response times As the volume of data increases, both system speed and the ease of information retrieval are negatively impacted, making relational databases generally slower in performance.
Relational databases require significant physical memory because of their row-and-column architecture Each operation depends on distinct physical storage, highlighting the importance of optimizing the database to make the most of the available physical memory.
Take a look at the diagram below and see how the idea of a "Key" is used to create a linkage between two tables:
Figure 3: “Key” in connection between two tables.
A database is a structured electronic system that facilitates the efficient storage and retrieval of information, making it a vital asset for any organization It serves as the central hub for essential data, encompassing employee records, transaction histories, salary information, and other critical details.
- Certainly, let's dive deeper into the roles and functions of databases:
Databases serve as efficient and structured repositories for storing large volumes of data, ensuring that information is not only stored but also systematically organized This structured approach enhances data accessibility and management, making it easier for users to retrieve and utilize the information effectively.
Databases facilitate efficient data retrieval using specialized query languages such as SQL, which enable users to extract specific information, filter data, and conduct searches based on diverse criteria.
This ensures that users can access the exact data they need swiftly.
• Data Integrity: Databases maintain data integrity by enforcing rules, constraints, and relationships among data elements This guarantees that the data remains accurate and consistent, preventing errors or discrepancies.
Data security is essential for databases, providing vital features like authentication, authorization, and encryption to protect sensitive information These measures help prevent unauthorized access and potential data breaches, ensuring that confidential data remains secure.
Concurrency control is essential in databases with multiple users accessing data simultaneously It effectively manages concurrent access to prevent conflicts, ensuring data consistency even when numerous users interact with the database at the same time.
Data backup and recovery are crucial features of databases, enabling regular backups to protect against data loss from hardware failures, human errors, or unexpected disasters This functionality ensures that data can be effectively restored, even in challenging circumstances.
Databases offer essential scalability options, allowing for both vertical and horizontal expansion Vertical scaling enhances a single server's capacity by adding more resources, while horizontal scaling involves distributing data across multiple servers This flexibility is crucial for managing increasing data volumes and user demands effectively.
• Reporting and Analysis: Databases support data analysis and reporting by providing tools for generating insights
12Users can create dashboards, run complex queries, and generate reports to extract valuable information from the data stored in the database.
Databases play a crucial role in data transformation processes, including ETL (Extract, Transform, Load), which prepares data for analysis, reporting, and integration with other systems This transformation ensures that data is structured and formatted appropriately for its specific applications.
Design the database
• Data Organization: Data is structured in an orderly manner.
• Uses delimited files, where a specific character is used to separate data columns.
• Weak security, providing minimal safeguards for data integrity and security.
• High data redundancy due to data duplication in multiple locations.
• User-Friendly: Hierarchical databases make data navigation simple and fast, thanks to their one-to-many data organization.
• Suitable for Various Applications: This tree-like structure is ideal for use cases such as website drop-down menus or computer folders in operating systems like Microsoft Windows OS.
• Easy Addition and Deletion of Information: The database allows for easy addition and removal of information without affecting the entire database.
• Lack of Flexibility, struggling to handle complex data structures, especially relationships where child nodes have multiple parent nodes.
• Inefficient Querying, as the tree-like structure requires top-to-bottom sequential searches, which can be time-consuming when searching for specific data.
• Data Redundancy due to storing data in multiple entities to conform to the hierarchical structure.
Figure 1: Example of flat file databases
Structured data organization in databases follows a tree-like structure, where data is arranged in tiers Each child table is associated with a single parent table, while each parent table can connect to multiple child tables These tables are interconnected through relationships or links, ensuring a clear hierarchy and organized data flow.
• Ease of use: The one-to-many data organization simplifies navigating the database, making it quick and straightforward.
• Versatility: This tree-like structure is well-suited for various applications, such as creating website drop-down menus or organizing computer folders in operating systems like Microsoft Windows OS.
• Effortless data addition and removal: The database allows for the easy addition and deletion of information without impacting the entire database.
• Supported by major programming languages: Most major programming languages offer functionality for working with tree-
• Lack of flexibility: Hierarchical databases lack flexibility and may struggle to handle complex data structures, particularly when dealing with relationships where child nodes have multiple parent nodes.
• Inefficient querying: The tree-like organization requires sequential top-to-bottom searches, which can be time-consuming when searching for specific data.
• Data redundancy: Storing data in multiple entities to conform to the hierarchical structure can lead to redundancy and inefficiency.
• *Database management systems must traverse the entire model from top to bottom, resulting in significantly slow query performance Please refer to the diagram below for reference.
Figure 2: Example of hierarchical databases
Relational databases are a category of databases designed to store and provide access to interconnected data points They utilize a user-friendly relational model, organizing data in tables where each row represents a unique record identified by a key The columns of these tables contain data attributes, with each record typically holding values for all attributes, which facilitates the establishment of relationships among various data points.
• Establishing Relationships: Relational databases use primary keys and foreign keys to establish links between tables, ensuring non-repetitive data storage.
• Speed: Relational databases offer relatively high speed due to their simplicity and built-in optimizations Applications usually run at a reasonable speed when using relational databases.
• Security: Relational databases provide security through user authentication, allowing the confidentiality of specific tables and restricting access to authorized users Users are confined to working with designated tables.
• Simplicity: Compared to other database models, relational databases are simpler, avoiding complex structuring and query processing They typically require straightforward SQL queries for data manipulation.
Implementing a relational database can be costly due to the need for separate software licenses and the requirement for skilled technicians for maintenance, posing a financial challenge for businesses with limited budgets.
The performance of a relational database is significantly affected by the number of tables it holds; more tables can result in slower query response times Furthermore, as the volume of data increases, it not only hampers system speed but also makes information retrieval more complex Consequently, relational databases are often recognized for their comparatively slower performance.
Relational databases require significant physical memory due to their row-and-column architecture, with each operation depending on distinct physical storage Therefore, optimizing the database is essential to fully utilize available physical memory.
Take a look at the diagram below and see how the idea of a "Key" is used to create a linkage between two tables:
Figure 3: “Key” in connection between two tables.
A database is a structured electronic system that facilitates efficient information storage and retrieval, making it a vital asset for businesses and organizations It serves as the central repository for essential data, encompassing employee records, transaction histories, salary information, and other critical details.
- Certainly, let's dive deeper into the roles and functions of databases:
Databases serve as efficient repositories for extensive data storage, offering structured methods that ensure data is organized systematically This organization not only facilitates easy access but also enhances data management, making it a crucial element for effective data handling.
Databases facilitate efficient data retrieval using specialized query languages such as SQL, which enable users to extract specific information, filter data, and conduct searches based on various criteria.
This ensures that users can access the exact data they need swiftly.
• Data Integrity: Databases maintain data integrity by enforcing rules, constraints, and relationships among data elements This guarantees that the data remains accurate and consistent, preventing errors or discrepancies.
Data security is essential for databases, providing vital features like authentication, authorization, and encryption to protect sensitive information from unauthorized access and data breaches These measures ensure that confidential data remains secure and safeguarded.
Concurrency control is essential in multi-user database environments as it effectively manages simultaneous access to data By preventing conflicts, it ensures data consistency, even when multiple users are accessing the database at the same time.
Data backup and recovery are crucial features of databases, offering reliable mechanisms to protect against data loss due to hardware failures, human errors, or unexpected disasters These processes ensure that data can be efficiently restored, even in challenging circumstances, thereby safeguarding the integrity and availability of critical information.
Databases offer essential scalability features, allowing for both vertical and horizontal scaling Vertical scaling enhances a single server's capacity by adding more resources, while horizontal scaling spreads data across multiple servers This flexibility is crucial for managing increasing data volumes and user demands effectively.
• Reporting and Analysis: Databases support data analysis and reporting by providing tools for generating insights
12Users can create dashboards, run complex queries, and generate reports to extract valuable information from the data stored in the database.
Databases play a crucial role in data transformation processes, including ETL (Extract, Transform, Load), which prepares data for analysis, reporting, and integration with other systems This transformation ensures that data is formatted and structured correctly for its intended applications.
Databases can integrate business logic by utilizing stored procedures and triggers, enabling tailored data processing and validation This functionality allows for the implementation of specific business rules directly within the database, enhancing data management and operational efficiency.
Data integration is facilitated by databases, which allow for the storage, consolidation, and unified access of data from diverse sources This capability is particularly beneficial for organizations that require the merging of information from multiple systems.
• Audit Trails: Some databases maintain audit trails to track changes to data This feature provides a history of who made modifications and when, enhancing transparency and accountability.
• Compliance: Databases help organizations comply with industry regulations and data privacy laws By ensuring data governance and protection, databases contribute to regulatory compliance.