D426 WGU DATA MANAGEMENT - FOUNDATIONS -
STUDY GUIDE
Data - Answer -Numeric, textual, visual, or audio information that describes real-world
systems. It is collected and processed to aid in a variety of tasks.
Analog Data - Answer -Most common before computers. Audio was recorded as
vibrations impressed on vinyl disks.
Digital Data - Answer -Most common today. Encoded as 0s and 1s on electronic
magnetic data.
Database - Answer -A collection of data in structured format. In principle, can be stored
on paper or even clay tablets.
Database System (DBMS) - Answer -Software that reads and writes in a database.
Query - Answer -A request to retrieve or change data in a database. Typically inserts
new data, retrieves data, updates, data, or deletes data from a database.
Query Language - Answer -Specialized programming language designed specifically
for database systems. Reads and writes data efficiently.
Database Application - Answer -Software that HELPS business users interact with
database systems.
Database Administrator - Answer -What role am I?
Responsible for securing the database system against unauthorized users. They
enforce procedures for user access and database system availability.
Database Designer - Answer -What role am I?
Determines the format of each data element AND the overall database STRUCTURE.
Must balance priorities like including storage, response time, and support for rules that
govern the data.
Database Programmer - Answer -What role am I?
Develop programs that utilize a database and write applications that combine query
languages and general purpose programming language.
Database User - Answer -What role am I?
, A consumer of data in a database. They request, update, or use stored data to generate
reports or information.
Transaction - Answer -A group of queries that MUST be completed or rejected as a
whole.
Architecture - Answer -Describes the internal components AND the relationships
between components.
Query Processor - Answer -Interprets queries, creates a plan to modify the database or
retrieve the data, and returns query results to the application. Performs query
optimization.
Query Optimization - Answer -Ensures efficient instructions are executed on the data
from the Query Processor.
Storage Manager - Answer -Translates the query processor instructions into low-level
file-system commands that modify OR retrieve data. Uses indexes to quickly locate
data.
Transaction Manager - Answer -Ensures transactions are properly executed. Prevents
conflicts between concurrent transactions. Also restores the database to a consistent
state in the event of a failure.
Log - Answer -A file containing a complete record of ALL inserts, updates, and deletes
processed by the database. The records can be used to restore a database.
Catalog/Data Dictionary/Repository - Answer -A directory of tables, columns, indexes,
and other database objects.
Relational Database - Answer -Stores data in tables, columns, and rows, SIMILAR to a
spreadsheet. It also supports SQL. Made up of relations.
NoSQL - Answer -A new generation of DBMS that is NOT based on the traditional
relational database model.
CRUD - Answer -Acronym for actions that can be performed by a query.
SQL Statement - Answer -A database command such as a query that inserts, retrieves,
updates, or deletes data. Composed of one or more clauses.
INSERT - Answer -Inserts rows into a table.
SELECT - Answer -Retrieves data from a table.
UPDATE - Answer -Modifies data in a table.
STUDY GUIDE
Data - Answer -Numeric, textual, visual, or audio information that describes real-world
systems. It is collected and processed to aid in a variety of tasks.
Analog Data - Answer -Most common before computers. Audio was recorded as
vibrations impressed on vinyl disks.
Digital Data - Answer -Most common today. Encoded as 0s and 1s on electronic
magnetic data.
Database - Answer -A collection of data in structured format. In principle, can be stored
on paper or even clay tablets.
Database System (DBMS) - Answer -Software that reads and writes in a database.
Query - Answer -A request to retrieve or change data in a database. Typically inserts
new data, retrieves data, updates, data, or deletes data from a database.
Query Language - Answer -Specialized programming language designed specifically
for database systems. Reads and writes data efficiently.
Database Application - Answer -Software that HELPS business users interact with
database systems.
Database Administrator - Answer -What role am I?
Responsible for securing the database system against unauthorized users. They
enforce procedures for user access and database system availability.
Database Designer - Answer -What role am I?
Determines the format of each data element AND the overall database STRUCTURE.
Must balance priorities like including storage, response time, and support for rules that
govern the data.
Database Programmer - Answer -What role am I?
Develop programs that utilize a database and write applications that combine query
languages and general purpose programming language.
Database User - Answer -What role am I?
, A consumer of data in a database. They request, update, or use stored data to generate
reports or information.
Transaction - Answer -A group of queries that MUST be completed or rejected as a
whole.
Architecture - Answer -Describes the internal components AND the relationships
between components.
Query Processor - Answer -Interprets queries, creates a plan to modify the database or
retrieve the data, and returns query results to the application. Performs query
optimization.
Query Optimization - Answer -Ensures efficient instructions are executed on the data
from the Query Processor.
Storage Manager - Answer -Translates the query processor instructions into low-level
file-system commands that modify OR retrieve data. Uses indexes to quickly locate
data.
Transaction Manager - Answer -Ensures transactions are properly executed. Prevents
conflicts between concurrent transactions. Also restores the database to a consistent
state in the event of a failure.
Log - Answer -A file containing a complete record of ALL inserts, updates, and deletes
processed by the database. The records can be used to restore a database.
Catalog/Data Dictionary/Repository - Answer -A directory of tables, columns, indexes,
and other database objects.
Relational Database - Answer -Stores data in tables, columns, and rows, SIMILAR to a
spreadsheet. It also supports SQL. Made up of relations.
NoSQL - Answer -A new generation of DBMS that is NOT based on the traditional
relational database model.
CRUD - Answer -Acronym for actions that can be performed by a query.
SQL Statement - Answer -A database command such as a query that inserts, retrieves,
updates, or deletes data. Composed of one or more clauses.
INSERT - Answer -Inserts rows into a table.
SELECT - Answer -Retrieves data from a table.
UPDATE - Answer -Modifies data in a table.
