What is a Database Management System (DBMS)?Ī Database Management System (DBMS) is a well-known term in data analysis. Through utilizing the language, users can create new databases, tables, insert data, and delete data. Users can write commands using Database Access Language before submitting them to the database for execution. Database Access Languageĭatabase Access Language is a language used to write commands to access, update, and delete data stored in a database. Procedures refer to the instructions used in a database management system and encompass everything from instructions to setup and install, login and logout, manage the day-to-day operations, take backups of data, and generate reports. A database is a repository of information about a database (also called metadata). Database dictionaries are used to centralize, document, control, and coordinate the use of data within an organization.
Dataĭata are raw facts and information that need to be organized and processed to make it more meaningful.
Software is a set of programs used to manage and control the database and includes the database software, operating system, network software used to share the data with other users, and the applications used to access the data. Hardware refers to the physical, electronic devices such as computers and hard disks that offer the interface between computers and real-world systems. The five major components of a database are: 1. An example of an external database is the SEC database. External databases refer to databases external to an organization and are generally accessed over the Internet and are owned by other organizations. Instead, data warehouses are usually used for business intelligence purposes. The former, operational databases, refer to databases that are actively used in the operations of the business, such as accounting, sales, finance, and HR.ĭata warehouses contain data collected from several sources, and the data contained within are generally not used for routine business activities. Internal databases typically include operational databases and data warehouses. What is the Role of Databases in an Enterprise?Įnterprises typically make use of both internal databases and external databases. Table: A table is a collection of related records with a unique table nameĭatabase: A database is a collection of related tables. Record: A record is a collection of related fields. There are a few key terms that would be useful to help one understand data more, particularly the relation between data and databases.įields: Within a database, a field contains the most detailed information about events, people, objects, and transactions. Data is not limited to facts themselves, as pictures, images, and files are also considered data. For example, examples of data relating to an individual would be the person’s name, age, height, weight, ethnicity, hair color, and birthdate. Put simply, data are pieces of information or facts related to the object being considered. The five major components of a database are hardware, software, data, procedure, and database access language.īefore we get into the concept of a database, we should first understand what data is.
Enterprises typically make use of both internal databases and external databases.Databases are generally accessed electronically from a computer system and are usually controlled by a database management system (DBMS). A database refers to a collection of logically related information organized so that it can be easily accessible, managed, and updated.