Data - Answers 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 - Answers Most common before computers. Audio was recorded as vibrations impressed on
vinyl disks.
Digital Data - Answers Most common today. Encoded as 0s and 1s on electronic magnetic data.
Database - Answers A collection of data in structured format. In principle, can be stored on paper or
even clay tablets.
Database System (DBMS) - Answers Software that reads and writes in a database.
Query - Answers 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 - Answers Specialized programming language designed specifically for database
systems. Reads and writes data efficiently.
Database Application - Answers Software that HELPS business users interact with database systems.
Database Administrator - Answers This role is responsible for securing the database system against
unauthorized users. They enforce procedures for user access and database system availability.
Database Designer - Answers 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 - Answers Develop programs that utilize a database and write applications that
combine query languages and general purpose programming language.
Database User - Answers A consumer of data in a database. They request, update, or use stored data to
generate reports or information.
Transaction - Answers A group of queries that MUST be completed or rejected as a whole.
Architecture - Answers Describes the internal components AND the relationships between components.
Query Processor - Answers 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 - Answers Ensures efficient instructions are executed on the data from the Query
Processor.
, Storage Manager - Answers Translates the query processor instructions into low-level file-system
commands that modify OR retrieve data. Uses indexes to quickly locate data.
Transaction Manager - Answers 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 - Answers 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 - Answers A directory of tables, columns, indexes, and other database objects.
Relational Database - Answers Stores data in tables, columns, and rows, SIMILAR to a spreadsheet. It
also supports SQL. Made up of relations.
NoSQL - Answers A new generation of DBMS that is NOT based on the traditional relational database
model.
CRUD - Answers Acronym for actions that can be performed by a query.
SQL Statement - Answers A database command such as a query that inserts, retrieves, updates, or
deletes data.
INSERT - Answers Inserts rows into a table.
SELECT - Answers Retrieves data from a table.
UPDATE - Answers Modifies data in a table.
DELETE - Answers Deletes rows from a table.
CREATE TABLE - Answers Creates a new table by specifying the table and column names.
Data Type - Answers Indicates the TYPE of data that can be stored in a field of a column.
Data Independence - Answers Allows database administrators to improve query performance by
changing the organization of data on storage devices, without affecting query results.
Database Design - Answers A specification of database objects such as tables, columns data types, and
indexes. Also refers to the process used to develop the specifications.
Database Design - Analysis - Answers This phase specifies database requirements without regard to a
specific database system. May also be referred to as conceptual design, entity-relationship modeling,
and requirements definition.
Metadata - Answers Data ABOUT the database, such as column names and the number of rows in each
table.