1. Chapter 8 Database Applications and Implications

2. The Electronic File Cabinet: Database Basics Beyond the Basics: Database Management Systems No Secrets: Computers and Privacy A look at Microsoft Access Topics “The goal is information at your fingertips.” Bill Gates

3. Database software is…  application software (like word processing and spreadsheet software)  designed to maintain databases (collections of information) A Database is…  a collection of information stored in an organized form on a computer The Electronic File Cabinet: Database Basics

4. What Good Is a Database? An electronic database allows you to:  store large quantities of information  retrieve information quickly  organize and reorganize information  print and distribute information in a variety of ways

5. Database Anatomy A database is a collection of one or more database files A file is a collection of related information (records)

6. A record is the information relating to one person, product, or event A field is a discrete chunk of information in a record Database Anatomy

7. The view is a display of the information in fields based on a particular layout of field data. Form View List View

8. These operations are used to manipulate the information in the database:  Import:receives data in the form of text files  Browse:navigates through information  Query: finds records that match a specific criteria  Sort: rearranges records (alpha or numerically)  Report: printout of an ordered list of records Database Operations

9. Special-Purpose Database Programs Specialized database software is preprogrammed for specific data storage and retrieval purposes. Geographical information systems (GISs): include geographic and demographic data in map form.

10. Special-Purpose Database Programs Personal information managers (PIMs): an electronic organizer that is customized to fit individual needs.

11. A file manager is a program that allows users to work with one file at a time. Beyond the Basics: Database Management Systems

12. Database Management Systems (DBMS)  is a program or system of programs that can manipulate data in a large collection of files  redundant information is stored as a key field  different users see different points of view  may be interactive

13. What Makes a Database Relational? A database is relational when files are related to each other, such as this Student ID field in the Student file.

14. Database Trends Real-Time Computing  Allows instant access to information Downsizing and Decentralizing  Using a client/server approach Data Mining  Allows technology to find valuable information

15. Database Trends Databases and the Web  Information is available via a company’s Intranet and the Internet Object-Oriented Databases  Make database construction and usage more flexible

16. Database Trends Multimedia Databases  Serve as an index for art, photographs, maps, video clips, and other media files Natural Language Databases  Allows users to ask for data using the same language used to address humans

17. The Privacy Problem More than 15,000 specialized marketing databases contain 2 billion names. These databases contain characteristics like age, income, religion, and even sexual preference.

18. Rules of Thumb: Your Private Right Your social security number is yours – don’t give it away Say no to direct mail and phone solicitations, sharing of personal information, and pollsters Know your electronic rights

19. Big Brother and Big Business Government uses record matching to locate criminals ranging from tax evaders to mass murderers. Credit bureaus collect information about us and allow us to borrow money where ever we go.

20. Big Brother and Big Business With the increased amount of information available:  Data errors are common  Data can become nearly immortal  Data isn’t secure

21. A look at Microsoft Access An Access database consists of 7 objects. The object selected on the left side of the screen has corresponding elements on the right side of the screen.

22. Tables The fundamental structure of the database. The Datasheet view looks much like a spreadsheet. Use for data entry (Datasheet View) Use for Data design (Design View)

23. Other Objects Queries: used for finding data or answering questions about the data base. Forms: a direct link to a table. Provides a friendlier user interface for entering or editing data. Allows users to view one record at a time. Reports: used to summarize the data for printing or for presentation purposes.

24. Other Objects (continued) Pages: creates Web pages for viewing or editing the data online. Macros: used to automate tasks. Modules: programs in Visual Basic to customize the database