LAB 1 : FUNDAMENTALS OF DATABASE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM

LEARNING OUTCOMES
This lab sheets comprises of activities 1A until 1D

By the end of this lab session, you must be able to:

* Explain and identify common database management system * Describe the three-schema architecture of DBMS * Describe the client-server architecture of DBMS * Identify the categories of DBMS * Describe the benefits of Desktop database and Server database * Select an appropriate DBMS suitable for a given business requirements * Identify the contribution of database technology to society

Activity 1A

Databases and DBMS are an essential component of life in modern society: most of usedcounter several activities every day that involve some interaction with a database.For example, if we go to the bank to deposit or withdraw funds, if we make a hotel or airline reservation, if we access a computerized library catalog to search for a bibliographicitem, or if we purchase something online such as a book, toy, or computer chances are that our activities will involve someone or some computer program accessing a database. Even purchasing items at a supermarket often automatically updates the database that holds the inventory of grocery items.

1. Why would you choose a DBMS instead of simply storing data in operating system files? 2. Name few of database names that you know. 3. When would it make sense not to use a DBMS?

Activity 1B

Diagram 1

1. Describe the three level-schema architecture. 2. Why do we need mappings between schema levels? 3. How do different schema definition languages support this architecture?

Activity 1C

There are several different types of databases, but to simplify our discussion,we are going to suggest that “relational” databases are the primary type of databaseused in today’s organizations. Relational databases may be broken into twocategories: 1) Databases that run on your desktop computer, and 2) Databases thatare running on a separate server, usually in a different location from your desktopcomputer.

We will call the first category “desktop databases” and the secondcategory will be called “client server systems”(Server database). Client server systems are morecomplicated because there is a program running on your computer (“client”) thatconnects to the database itself on the server (“server”), and this requires a network.The explosive development and availability of the internet has provided thisnetwork to nearly every organization, and client server database systems are nowwidely available.

1. By reading the text above, discuss the differences between Desktop database and Server database.

Activity 1D

In a group of 4, identify the contribution of database technology to the society. You may present your answer by stating sample of real situation(s) that happen in Malaysia currently.

EXERCISES (CLO1)

1. Discuss the main characteristics of the database approach and how it differs from traditional file systems. 2. Provide and explain2 examplesof systemsin which it may make sense to use traditional fileprocessing instead of a database approach. 3. Define client/server architecture.
Table 1: Required elements and scoring rubric Criteria | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | SCORE | Knowledge of forms, conventions, terminology, and strategies of literary texts | Demonstrates few knowledge of forms, conventions, terminology, and strategies | Demonstrates limited knowledge of forms, conventions, terminology, and strategies | Demonstrates some knowledge of forms, conventions, terminology, and strategies | Demonstrates considerable knowledge of forms, conventions, terminology, and strategies | Demonstrates thorough and insightful knowledge of forms, conventions, terminology, and strategies | | Critical and creative thinking skills | Not showing critical and creative thinking skills | Uses critical and creative thinking skills with limited effectiveness | Uses critical and creative thinking skills with moderate effectiveness | Uses critical and creative thinking skills with considerable effectiveness | Uses critical and creative thinking skills with a high degree of effectiveness | | Communication of information and ideas | Does not communicates information and ideas | Communicates information and ideas with limited clarity | Communicates information and ideas with some clarity | Communicates information and ideas with considerable clarity | Communicates information and ideas with a high degree of clarity and with confidence | | | TOTAL | |

NOTES