1. What is a database?
A database is a collection of records or data that is stored in a computer.
2. Name three types of information products that may be produced using a database.
Stringed information
Compressed Information
Spatial Information
3. How does a database manage information?
It organises it into different categories.
4. Provide three examples for each common data type.
Integer: byte, word
Floating-decimals, rational numbers, binary system.
Alphanumeric strings: Letters stringing to represent numbers (i.e. S=0, 1), a binary string, a variable.
5. In a CD collection database, name five of the fields that may be used. For each field describe the data type that each field will contain. Using details about your favourite artist and CDs, make up some data that might be used in each of these fields. Then describe and write out what a record in this database may look like.
Artist: Text, (Artreyu)
Year: Number, (2006)
Title/name of CD: Text, (A Death Grip On Yesterday)
CD Number: Number, (1)
If it’s borrowed or not: Text (Owned)
A record would have to look something like this with all the fields copying the criteria you have used and queries for easy usage.
6. What is meant by the phrase "data has integrity"?
It means that the data is in a logical and easy to follow order.
7. Why is it important that data has integrity?
So that the data can be altered and managed easy and effieciently and can be viewed in a proper order when needed.
8. Explain the meaning of the term 'data'. Give three examples of data that may be input to a computer.
Data refers to information, collected through an experiment, obeservation etc.
3 examples are:
Numbers
Words
Images
9. What is the difference between primary and secondary data sources? Give examples of each.
Primary data: Is known as raw data for a good reason, it means that the data hasnt been procesed and organised for use.
Secondary Data: Secondary data is collected and processed by people other than the researcher in question. Sources of secondary data include census' and large surveys.
