University:
American Baptist College
Course:
BU 100L | Basic Computer Science
Academic year:

2024
Views:

182

Pages:

2
Author:

Ahmat N.

Database Management Systems Overview 6.1 Introduction to Databases Databases are organized collections of data that enable efficient storage, retrieval, and management. This section introduces the fundamental concepts of databases, including the need for structured data storage in modern applications. The role of databases in supporting business operations, data analysis, and decision-making is emphasized. 6.2 Types of Database Management Systems (DBMS) DBMS can be categorized into different types based on their structure and functionality: • Relational Database Management Systems (RDBMS): Use tables to store data and establish relationships between them, employing Structured Query Language (SQL) for data manipulation (e.g., MySQL, PostgreSQL). • NoSQL Databases: Designed for unstructured data and scalability, NoSQL databases (e.g., MongoDB, Cassandra) accommodate diverse data models, such as key-value pairs, documents, and graphs. • Object-Oriented Databases: Store data in the form of objects, similar to objectoriented programming, allowing for complex data relationships and inheritance. 6.3 Database Design Principles Effective database design is crucial for performance and usability. This section discusses key principles, including: • Normalization: The process of organizing data to reduce redundancy and improve integrity. • Entity-Relationship (ER) Modeling: A technique for visualizing data relationships and structures, helping to design databases that meet user requirements. • Indexes: Structures that improve data retrieval speed by providing quick access paths to specific data. 6.4 SQL Basics SQL is the standard language for interacting with relational databases. This section covers basic SQL commands, including: • SELECT: Retrieving data from tables. • INSERT: Adding new records to a table. • UPDATE: Modifying existing records. • DELETE: Removing records from a table. 6.5 Conclusion A solid understanding of database management systems is essential for effective data handling in today’s data-driven world. Mastery of database design principles and SQL equips students with the skills needed to manage and analyze large datasets efficiently.