Introduction to Database | What is a Database?

Database is a collection of related files. Or Database is a collection of integrated data. It can be manual database or electronic database.

• Manual data Processing System: Refers as Traditional way of data processing. These are pencil and paper data processing. It is known as Integrated file system

• Electronic data Processing System (Database Maintenance): refers as Modern way of data processing. These data are made up by computer. They are ease to format, edit, remove or add the content. Its creation and maintenance is a gradual and continuous procedure.

The creation & the maintenance of databases is under the influence of a set of user programs known as the Database Management Systems (DBMS).

In fact, the DBMS provide an interface between the user’s programs and the contents of the database

The following are the differences between Manual data processing with the electronic data processing

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Manual data Processing System:

• Low technology data processing (e.g. pencil and paper) 
• Difficult to adjust
• Difficult to produce copies with the same quality
• It takes time to produce data required
• Difficult to move to different location
• Can not be printed
• Generally not easy to read

Electronic data Processing System

• Very high technology data processing (e.g. computer)
• Ease to adjust i.e. editing, formatting
• Ease to produce more copies with the same quality
• It takes very short time to produce data required (depends on user operating speed)
• Can move to a different location easily
• Information can be printed
• Generally easy to read

Applications of Database

• You can create a database for; 
• Customers’ details.
• Library records. 
• Personal records.
• Flight schedules.
• Employees’ records.
• A music collection. 
• An Address book (or Telephone directory), where each person has the Name, Address, City & Telephone no.  

Database Terminologies

• Character: This can be a single letter, number, or special character or symbols such as @, + etc.
• Field: Field in database is a set of related characters or a collections of related characters. E.g. a single word such as Sex, is the Field. Also Field represent vertical data or column in a database.
• Record: This term means a collection of related field in a database. Therefore a record contains the data for a several field such as a records for Juma will be Age, Sex, Phone etc
• File: Now all fields and records form file, a file is a collection of related records in a database.
• Database: This is a huge term that means a collection of related files 
• Data Dictionary. This contains all definitions of elements in the system
• Data Bank is a collection of data, usually for several users, and available to several organizations. Eg Database for Regions List or Nations List

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Database Models

A database model in the database can be defined as the logical structure or layout of a database system and how the data will be stored, managed and processed in that database system. This means data can be arranged and presented due to many factors such as the size of database, people involved etc. Now the following are the database models.

TYPES OF DATABASE MODELS. 

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• Network database model.
• Relational database model.
• Hierarchical database model.

Relational Database Model

A Relational database is the database model or database layout whereby all the items are related.The data elements in a Relational database are stored or organized in tables.  A Table consists of rows(records) and columns(Fields).

Hierarchical Database Model
This is a data structure or layout of a database where the data is organized in form of family tree or an organization chart. Hierarchical database, the records are stored in multiple levels. Units further down the system are subordinate to the ones above. Examples in the Educations Institutions you will find different departments administered with the head of the institution.

Network Database Model 

A Network database model or layout look the same as hierarchical, but in this  model represents many-to-many relationships between data. This database will allows a data element or record to be related to more than one other data element or record. For example, a teacher can be associated with more than one department such as geography and mathematics department 

Types of Database 

There are (4) kinds Databases

• Individual: is also called microcomputer database. It is a collection of integrated file primarily used by just one person
• Company: May be stored on a mainframe computer and managed by a computer professional (database administrator) users throughout the company have access to the database through their microcomputers linked to local area networks or wide area networks. 
• Distributed: That is, it is located in a place(s) other than where users are located. Typically, database savers on a client/sever network provide a link between users and the distant data. E.g. information can be at regional offices. Some can be at headquarters, some down the hall from you and some even overseas 
• Propriety: Is generally an enormous database that an organization develops to cover certain particular subject. It offers access to this database to the public or selected outside individuals for fee.