Define the following terms:

1. Data

Data is defined as a set of raw facts in the form of numbers, sounds, words, images, and etc., which are
not yet processed or simply, does not yet hold meaning (Thakur, 2020; BYJU'S, 2021).

2. Information

Information is a collection of data that has already been organized, analyzed, and interpreted or has been
processed thus, information is meaningful, useful, and easily understood (Thakur, 2020; BYJU'S, 2021).

3. Metadata

Metadata are the details or given description to a specific data inside a data warehouse. Data is stored in
rows and columns inside a database. Each data stored is assigned with metadata. The metadata acts as a road
map or a directory that helps a person identify a specific data inside a database (Manghnani, 2019).

4. database application

A database application is a software responsible for facilitating queries, inserting, retreiving, managing,
and formatting data inside a database (Naeem, 2021).

5. data warehouse

A data warehouse is a type of subject-oriented database intended for faster database query and analytics.
This combines all the data into one table (denormalized online analytical processing), which allows the user
to access the data needed faster, hence has a greater level of performance (Guru99, 2021).

6. constraint

Constraints are pre-defined properties that the database management system of a specific database must
strictly follow. Constraints are applied in all elements of a table inside a database. Constraints are created for the
sake of protecting the data in a database and its integrity or overall validity (Singh, 2018).

7. database

A database is a structure that stores and record related data systematically inside a computer. A database
is manipulated by the database management system to be able to update, receive, manage data, and retrieve
lost or deleted data in the database (Guru99, 2020; 2021; Oracle, n.d.).

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8. entity

Entities are objects that exist in reality and can either be tangible (e.g. in animal database’s entities may
be cat, dog, and fish) or intangible (only proven by its logical existence). Entities in DBMS must hold a
quality that makes them identifiable (attributes) (T, 2019).

9. database management system

Database management system is a software responsible for validating data based on set of rules and
manipulates the data, its format, structure, and etc. (techopedia, 2020). DBMS allows its users and
administrators to update, receive, manage data, and retrieve lost or deleted data in the database (Oracle,
n.d.).

List five disadvantages of file processing systems. Briefly explain each one of them.
1. Data Redundancy
A user is all free to input data with system not confirming if it is an already existing data, thus
duplication of data occurs. This does not only takes up extra memory, but also requires more effort when
an update is needed. Since there are data duplicates, updating one duplicate does not necessarily mean
that the other duplicate is updated (TutorialCup, 2020).

2. Data Dependence
One small change in file’s metadata will require a alteration of the whole program itself. The
programmer must create another program suitable for all of the file’s metadata in the system, which is
again involves a lot of effort (TutorialCup, 2020).

3. Excessive Program Maintenance

File processing systems diverts funds to program maintenance instead of innovation of new
application. The different disadvantages all combined results to more maintenance work required in the
system (weebly, 2016).

4. Limited Data Sharing

Traditional file processing lacks centralization on who can access the data in a system. Files for
different systems are isolated from each other making it harder for different users to have access on
them (weebly, 2016, TutorialCup, 2020).

5. Lengthy Development Times

The programmers must create an original design of how the files will be formatted. Each
application in a system needs development, which is time-consuming depending on the complications
that the programmers needs. From that, the development of each file might not be able to catch up with
the phase of the development of the whole organization. This will likely ends up on failing to meet all
the demands of the upgraded organization (weebly, 2016).

List the nine major components in a database system environment. Briefly explain each one of them.

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 1. Computer aided software engineering tools
CASE tools are any tools that are automated and used in software development. CASE tools
basically aids the developer on the entirety of the software development process. The use of these tools
gets the job done faster and more efficient (Jim, 2016).

2. Repository
Repositories function like a library, specifically for data storage. This huge structure helps in
collecting, managing, and storing data for later use (sharing and analyzing). There are many types of
repositories. One is metadata repository, which is used to store a data’s metadata (techopedia, n.d.).

3. DBMS
Database management system is a software responsible for facilitating and validating data based
on set of rules and manipulates the data, its format, structure, and etc. (techopedia, 2020). A DBMS
functions with instructions made by its administrators. Instructions may be manipulating, storing,
retrieving data, and more (OmniSci, 2020).

4. Database
A database is a structure that stores data systematically. It contains rows and columns presented
as a table that holds all the data contained in a database. A database has various types based on an
organization’s requirements like NoSQL database, Relational database, Cloud databases, and many
more. A database is designed through the use of Entity relationship techniques (Guru99, 2020).

5. Application Programs
These are software applications whose role is to collect and store data in the database (Wall,
n.d.).

6. User Interface
User Interface (UI) is where interactions between the user and the computer or application takes
place. This could be in the form a hardware or a software. Examples of a user interface are drop down
menus, scroll bars, search bars, and etc.. In terms of hardware, a good example of a UI is the keyboard
and mouse. A UI must be easy to understand and use in the views of its users, user friendly, in short
(Christensson, 2009).

7. Data and database administrator

A data or database administrator are professionals who utilize software applications to store and
organize data and protect it from unauthorized access. They help organizations from preventing any
possible data loss, ensures database is functioning efficiently, and do database maintenance. Aside from
those, they also ensure that the database offers a user-friendly interface (U.S. Bureau of Labor
Statistics, 2020).

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 8. System developers
System developers are professionals responsible for the overall software design, development,
creates manuals, system modification, and implementation of the software intended for databases (Penn
State Huma Resources, n.d.).

9. End Users
End users is one of the major reason why an application is created. They are the actual users of a
program, software, application, or a device. In database, end users are the one who access a database for
queries (Christensson, 2006).

List five costs or risks associated with the database approach, explain.

1. New Specialized Personnel

As there is the presence of rapid growth and change an organization is experiencing, newly
trained database developers, staff, and administrators must undergo another set of training to be able to
grasp the rush of technological development and innovation (Rashid, 2020).

2. Installation & Management Costs and complexity

A larger and more complex database management system requires more budget. This is due to
the involvement of more professionals needed in developing the proper database, and an advance set of
software and hardware systems. Aside from that, a complex database system will require an annual
maintenance and upgrades for its optimal operation (Castro, 2018; Rashid, 2020).

3. Conversion Cost
Transitioning from the traditional file processing system to a more advanced database approach
involves additional costs, due to the fact that existing data must be converted to fit the new approach and
more developers and programmers involved. The cost also comes with additional efforts and time
holding back other organizations from converting (Castro, 2018; Rashid, 2020).

4. Need for explicit Backup & Recovery

A new database approach requires a clear and comprehensive plan and solutions for possible
errors in the database. If the database is damaged, it could result to data loss, which is not something an
organization would be happy about (Rashid, 2020).

5. Organizational Conflict
When a database is shared, two parties may have different opinions and requirements in terms of
data and code formatting and maintenance and update rights. Two different organizations sometimes
take a long time or never arrive in one opinion in terms of their own requirements (Rashid, 2020).

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References:

BYJU'S. (2021, January 07). What Is The Difference Between Data And Information? Retrieved from
https://byjus.com/biology/difference-between-data-and-information/#:~:text=Information is a processed,
organised,collectively carry a logical meaning.

Castro, K. (2018, July 25). Limitations of Database Management System. Retrieved from
https://www.tutorialspoint.com/Limitations-of-Database-Management-System

Christensson, P. (2006). Data Definition. Retrieved 2021, Jan 18, from https://techterms.com

Christensson, P. (2006). End User Definition. Retrieved 2021, Jan 24, from https://techterms.com

Christensson, P. (2009, March 31). User Interface Definition. Retrieved 2021, Jan 24, from
https://techterms.com

Guru 99. (2020, December 8). What is a Database? Definition, Meaning, Types, Example. Retrieved from
https://www.guru99.com/introduction-to-database-sql.html

Guru 99. (2021, January 11). Database vs Data Warehouse: Key Differences. Retrieved from
https://www.guru99.com/database-vs-data-warehouse.html

Jim, S. (2016, October 10). What are Computer Aided Software Engineering Tools (CASE) and its uses to
Software Development... Retrieved from https://medium.com/@stevejim56/what-are-computer-aided-
software-engineering-tools-case-and-its-uses-for-software-development-6e8c7c5e9df2

Manghnani, C. (2019, December 04). Metadata in DBMS - Overview and Types. Retrieved from
https://www.thecrazyprogrammer.com/2019/12/metadata-in-dbms.html

Naeem, T. (2021, January 12). Database Management Software: Features, Types, and Uses. Retrieved from
https://www.astera.com/type/blog/database-management-software/

OmniSci. (2020). What is DBMS? Definition and FAQs. Retrieved from https://www.omnisci.com/technical-
glossary/dbms

Oracle. (n.d.). What is a database? Retrieved from https://www.oracle.com/database/what-is-database/#link6

Penn State Huma Resources. (n.d.). Systems Developer. Retrieved from https://hr.psu.edu/recruitment-and-
compensation/job-profiles/information-technology/systems-developer

Rashid, M. (2020, July 05). Costs & Risks of Database Approach. Retrieved from https://limbd.org/costs-risks-
of-database-approach/

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Singh, C. (2018, November 17). Constraints in DBMS. Retrieved from
https://beginnersbook.com/2015/04/constraints-in-dbms/

T, N. (2019, December 10). Difference Between Entity and Attribute in Database. Retrieved from
https://binaryterms.com/difference-between-entity-and-attribute-in-database.html

Techopedia. (2020, August 18). What is a Database Management System (DBMS)? - Definition from
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systems-dbms#:~:text=A database management system (DBMS) is a software package designed,validate
and manipulate this data.

techopedia. (n.d.). What is Database Repository? - Definition from Techopedia. Retrieved from
https://www.techopedia.com/definition/1240/database-repository

Thakur, D. (2020, August 10). What is the Difference between Data and Information ? Retrieved from
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information#:~:text=The main examples of data,tax codes, registration marks etc.&text=Images, sounds,
multimedia and animated,more useful or intelligible form.

TutorialCup. (2020, August 11). File Processing System - File System - Disadvantages of File Processing.
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Wall, M. (n.d.). What Are Database Applications? Retrieved from https://www.techwalla.com/articles/what-are-

database-applications

Weebly. (2016, July 8). PROCESSING SYSTEMS. Retrieved from

https://dbasesystem.weebly.com/home/processing-systems

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