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1. Data numeric, textual, visual, or audio information that describes real-world sys-
tems.
2. analog Historically, data was mostly , encoded as continuous varia-
tions on various physical media.
3. digital Today, data is mostly , encoded as zeros and ones on elec-
tronic and magnetic media.
4. database a collection of data in a structured format. In principle, can be stored on paper
or even clay tablets. In practice, however, modern ones are invariably stored
on computers.
5. database system / software that reads and writes data in a database. ensure data is secure,
database manage- internally consistent, and available at all times. These functions are challenging
ment system / for large databases with many users, so data base systems are complex.
DBMS
6. database applica- software that helps business users interact with database systems.
tion
7. database adminis- - responsible for securing the database system against unauthorized users.
trator - enforces procedures for user access and database system availability.
8. database designer determines the format of each data element and the overall database struc-
ture. Must balance several priorities, including storage, response time, and
support for rules that govern the data. Since these priorities often conflict,
database design is technically challenging.
9. database program- develops computer programs that utilize a database.
mer
10. database user - a consumer of data in a database.
request, update, or use stored data to generate reports or information.
, WGU D426 - Data Management Foundations Solved Correctly To Score
A+ 2026|2027
- usually access the database via applications but can also submit queries
directly to the database system.
11. transaction a group of queries that must be either completed or rejected as a whole.
Execution of some, but not all, queries results in inconsistent or incorrect data.
12. query processor - interprets queries, creates a plan to modify the database or retrieve data, and
returns query results to the application.
- manages connections from multiple users and compiles queries into low-lev-
el instructions for the storage engine.
13. query optimization The query processor performs to ensure the most eflcient
instructions are executed on the data.
14. indexes used by the storage manager to quickly locate data.
15. transaction manag- ensures transactions are properly executed.
er
16. log a file containing a complete record of all inserts, updates, and deletes
processed by the database.
17. relational database stores data in tables, columns, and rows, similar to a spreadsheet.
18. SQL includes statements that read and write data, create and delete tables, and
administer the database system.
19. big data The growth of the internet in the 1990s generated massive volumes of online
data, often with poorly structured or missing information.
20. NoSQL The newer non-relational systems, for 'not only SQL', and are optimized for big
data.
21. Open source software that anyone can inspect, copy, and modify with no licensing fee.
, WGU D426 - Data Management Foundations Solved Correctly To Score
A+ 2026|2027
22. query a command for a database that typically inserts new data, retrieves data,
updates data, or deletes data from a database.
23. query language a computer programming language for writing database queries.
24. CRUD The four common queries are an acronym for Create, Read, Update, and Delete
data.
25. SELECT retrieves data from a table.
26. UPDATE modifies data in a table.
27. CREATE TABLE creates a new table by specifying the table and column names.
28. data type Each column is assigned a that indicates the format of
column values and can be numeric, textual, or complex.
29. database design a specification of database objects such as tables, columns, data types, and
indexes. Also refers to the process used to develop the specification.
30. analysis specifies database requirements without regard to a specific database system.
31. ER diagrams depicts entities, relationships, and attributes.
32. logical design implements database requirements in a specific database system. specifies
tables, columns, and keys.
33. key a column used to identify individual rows of a table.
34. table diagram depicts the logical design.
35. schema The logical design, as specified in SQL and depicted in a table diagram.
36. data independence The principle that physical design never attects query results.
37.
, WGU D426 - Data Management Foundations Solved Correctly To Score
A+ 2026|2027
application pro- a library of procedures or classes that links a host programming language to
gramming inter- a database.
face / API
38. MySQL a leading relational database system sponsored by Oracle.
39. MySQL Community a free edition.
/MySQL Server
40. MySQL Enterprise a paid edition for managing commercial databases, includes MySQL Server
and additional administrative applications.
41. root account the administrative account that has full control of MySQL.
42. MySQL Com- a text interface included in the MySQL Server download. allows developers to
mand-Line Client connect to the database server, perform administrative functions, and execute
SQL statements.
43. error code returned by MySQL Server with a description when an SQL statement is
syntactically incorrect or the database cannot execute the statement.
44. MySQL Workbench is installed with MySQL Server and allows developers to execute SQL com-
mands using an editor.
45. database model a conceptual framework for database systems, with three parts:
- Data structures: that prescribe how data is organized.
- Operations: that manipulate data structures.
- Rules: that govern valid data.
46. relational model a database model based on a tabular data structure. The model was published
in 1970 by E. F. Codd of IBM and released in commercial products around
1980. The data structure, operations, and rules are standardized in SQL, the
universal query language of relational databases.