DATABASE
Database is any organized collection of
data e.g. Local directory and catalogue at the local library.
Therefore;
Computerized database is a collection
of data which can be created and used in many different ways by means of a
special computer software. The special computer software is called database
software.
Database software are software that enables you to create
and manage a database and they are called database management system.
Information can be retrieve in a database e.g. names,
addresses, grades, phone numbers, salaries, sale figure, customers, examination
scores, medical records. etc.
Database system is a record keeping system who’s overall
purpose is to maintain information and to make the information available on
demand.
COMPONENT OF A DATABASE SYSTEM
- The database
- DBMS (database management system)
- Computer and hardware system
4 Users of the System
Database is usually organized around a specific
theme or requirement for example.
- Census database
- Personnel data
- Medical records
- Examination processing
- Sales
- Marketing
- Admission
Type of Database
- Flat-file database
- Relation database
- Hierarchical database
- Network database
- Object oriented database
Flat-file database: uses a single table to store the
entire data.
Relational database: uses multiple table to store data.
Example of Database management system is Microsoft Access.
Microsoft Access is a database management system designed to
allow users to store and manipulate data stored in database and to retrieve
information easily and quickly. It is a relational DBMS designed to run
Microsoft Windows or Macintosh environment.
The basic component of a database program are called objects.
These objects performs specific tasks.
Types of Object
Tables: it contains information about one subject.
Queries: is a way of asking questions about stored data
in a table.
Forms: They are used to collect and organized information.
Report: A report provided a way to retrieve selected
stored data and present that information effectively and meaningfully.
These object types enable you to respectively, create
tables, formulate queries, design input forms and design output reports.
A Field: is a single column of information of the same
type, such as people's names.
A Record: is a row of information in a table relating
to single entry and comprising one or more fields.