CHAPTER 7(Storing Organizational information-Databases)
Define the fundamental concepts of the
relational database model.
A data base maintains information about
various types of objects (inventory), events(transaction), people(employees)
and places(warehouse).The relational database model(RDM) is a type of data base
that stores information in the form of logically related two-dimensional
tables.
Evaluate the advantages of the relational
database model.
1.
Increased
flexibility
Databases provide
flexibility in allowing each user to access the information in whatever way
best suits his or her needs. The physical view of information deals with the
physical storage of information on a storage device such as hard disk. The
logical view of information focuses on how users logically access information
to meet their particular business needs.
2.
Increased
scalability and performance
Scalability refers
to how well a system can adapt to increased demands. Performance measures how
quickly a system performs a certain process or transaction. Databases today
scale to exceptional levels, allowing all types of users and programs to
perform information-processing and information-searching tasks.
3.
Reduced
information redundancy
Redundancy is the
duplication of information, or storing the same information in multiple places.
The primary problem with redundant information is that it is often
inconsistent, which makes it difficult to determine which values are the most
current or more accurate.
4.
Increased
information security
The organization
must protect its information from unauthorized users or misuse. Databases offer
many security features including password, access levels and access control.
Password provide authentication of the user who is gaining access to the
system. Access level determine who has access to the different type of information
and access controls determine what type of access they have to the information
.
Compare relational integrity constraints
and business-critical integrity constraints
Relational integrity constrains are rules
that enforce basic and fundamental information based constraints.
Business-critical integrity constraints enforce
business rules vital to an organization’s success and often require more
insight and knowledge than relational integrity constraints.
Describe the benefits of a data driven website
Development: Allows the website owner to
make changes any time-all without having to rely on a developer or knowing HTML
programming. A well structured , data-driven websites enables updating with
little or no training.
Content management: A static website
requires a programmer to make updates. This adds an unnecessary layer between
the business and its web content, which can lead to misunderstandings and sloe
turnaround for desired changes.
Future expandability: Having a data-driven
website enables the site to grow faster than would be possible with a static
site. Changing the layout, displays and functionality of the sit is easier with
data-driven solution.
Describe the 2 primary methods for integrating
First
is to create forward and backward integrations that link process in value
chain. A forward integration takes information entered into a given system and
sends it automatically to all downstream systems and process. A backward
integration takes information entered into a given system and sends it
automatically to all upstream systems and process.
Second integration method builds a central
repository for a particular type of information. Users can create, update and
delete customer information only in the central customer information database.
This method does not eliminate redundancy but it does ensure consistency of the
information among multiple systems.
