What you MUST know before learning database systems development

An Information System (IS) is interrelated components to collect, process, store and distribute information to support mainly decision makings in an organization. Information technology (IT) describes the combination of computer technology (hardware and software) with telecommunications technology (data, image, and voice networks). CBIS vs. Manual IS What is an Information System?

Bill Gates (how much rich?), List of GDPhow much richList of GDP Major TANGIBLE product of Microsoft Information age phenomena –Population of “facebook.com” : 1.71 billion active user –China: billion Information Age

1) Globalization (Nike Corporation) –Global management thru IS 2) Organizational Change –Almost no traditional middle management : collect, process, store and distribute information for various decision makings –Cross functional (project based – virtual team or organization) Effect of Information Age

BTW, find a job that complies with rules of information age…. Structured –Routine & Repetitive –Small accounting book keepers and small independent travel agencies –Problems are predictable –Problems can be solved by applying standard solutions Nature of Job based on decisions-making type

Unstructured –Non-routine, Unpredictable, and Fuzzy –Management consultant (Accenture) –Standard solutions are not applicable –Solve problems by individual judgment (i.e., experience, knowledge) Nature of Job based on decisions-making type

Semi-structured –Combination of non-routine and predictable (production Scheduling) –Production/inventory manager –Require a combination of standard solution procedures and individual judgment Nature of Job based on decisions-making type

IBM Watson, Technical details of WatsonWatsonTechnical details of Watson MOOC: massive open online coursemassive open online course –UdacityUdacity –khan Academykhan Academy Post information age

Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 –Mandates strict reforms to improve financial disclosures from corporations for preventing accounting fraud. –Accounting frauds by Enron, Tyco, and WorldCom (see the next slide) in the early 2000s. Section 409 Requires disclosure to the public on a “rapid and current” basis of material changes in an organization’s financial condition. –impossible without DB Why study DB?

Fierce competitors to AT&T and Sprint Used to have: –88,000 employees –60,000 miles of telephone lines around the world –Revenue of $40 billion Collapsed because of the accounting fraud –$11 billion A main trigger –Simple: fail to integrate four different billing DB systems Kaiser: Northern, CA vs Southern, CA WorldCom

Another example Denver Airport Baggage Logistics IS –Twice the size of Manhattan, NY –10 times wider than London airport –Delayed 16 months because of DB problem –Data integrity problem – delivering luggage to wrong place –Original price: $1.7 billion –Final cost: more than $ 5 billion

Players in the Systems Game A stakeholder is any person who has an interest in an existing or proposed information system. Stakeholders can be technical or nontechnical workers. They may also include both internal and external workers. –System owners –System users –System designers –System builders –Systems analysts (project managers)

System Owners System owners – information system’s sponsor, usually responsible for funding the project of developing, operating, and maintaining the information system. –Top Management (CEO, CFO, CIO…) Primary Concerns - how much will the system cost? - how much value or what benefits will the system return to the business?

System Users System users – a “customer” who will use or is affected by a system on a regular basis Primary concern: get the job done using the system –Internal users Clerical and service workers, technical and professional staff, supervisors, middle managers, and executive managers –External users suppliers, partners, online customers

System Designers and System Builders System designer – a technical specialist who translates users’ business requirements and constraints into technical solution. –DBAs, Network architects, web designers, security experts… System builders – a technical specialist who constructs information systems and components based on the design specifications generated by the system designers. –Programmers (applications, systems, and DB), network administrators, web masters..

Systems Analysts (can be you!) (DB) Systems analyst – a specialist who studies the problems and needs of an organization to determine how people, data, processes, and information technology can best accomplish improvements for the business. Roles: − Bridge (facilitator: next slide) between management and technical specialist − Understand both business and computing − Initiate change within an organization − Ultimately, a problem solver

The Systems Analyst as a Facilitator

Skills Needed by the Systems Analyst Ideal SA (or CIO) for museum: with art background –financial services: Econ, business entities: MIS, supply chain logistics: logistics Good interpersonal communication skills –Business writing class –Technical business skill class Good interpersonal relation skills Flexibility and adaptability Working knowledge of (existing and emerging) IT Computer programming experience and expertise General business problem-solving skills

Basic DB Terms Data: Meaningful facts, text, graphics, images, sound, video segments –A collection of individual responses from a marketing research Information: Data processed to be useful in decision making –Pattern of geographical buying habit based on analysis of a marketing research Metadata: Data that describes data

Data in Context Large volume of facts, difficult to interpret / make decisions

Information Useful for decision making / interpretation

Metadata Descriptions of the properties or characteristics of the data, including data types, field sizes, allowable values, and documentation (Data Dictionary)

Universal Database Systems DBMS Database containing centralized shared data Application #1 Application #2 Application #3

Database Systems Collection of electronic data Central repository of shared data Stored in a standardized, convenient form. Requires a Database Management System (DBMS)

Type of DB Models File processing system (traditional) Hierarchical Network Relational Object-relational

Relational Database A relational database is a collection of tables that are related to one another based on a common field. A common field is called a primary key(s). –unique identifier in data model When the primary key of one table is represented in a second table to form a relationship, it is called a foreign key.

Relational Database A schematic diagram of a relational database (a) and a sample part of a relational database showing different tables (b)

Relating Tables Using a Common Field The primary key in the Employer table (EmployerID) is the common field that relates this table to the Position table. PositionID is the primary key in the Position table. The EmployerID field is a foreign key in this table. Primary keys can only have one occurrence in a table. Foreign keys may have multiple occurrences.

Relational Database Advantages –Easier database design, implementation, management, and use –Ad hoc query capability with SQL –Powerful database management system

You should use Oracle if… (closed source) You require flexibility in terms of transaction control You plan to host a large database You require a high degree of scalability You want your database to be platform-independent

You should use MySQL if… (open source) You aren’t going to scale to any large degree You’re planning to create a read-only web app or a website You require a high degree of replication Your project only requires simple queries, and has a low concurrency rate

You should use MS SQL Server if…(closed source) You’re working in a.NET development environment. Your database serves a large corporate/enterprise environment You’re processing workloads rather than developing applications You require fine-tuned control over your database.

You should use DB2 if…(closed source) Your company already maintains an in-house DB2 Installation You wish to federate data from multiple sources You need to be able to access data at high speed Performance optimization is extremely important to your project

You should use PostgreSQL if…(open source) You plan to make use of complex custom procedures You’re going to be working Java Your database will be large and complex, with high concurrency and multiple query types You will be carrying out many write operations, and read speed is not a factor Your project is developer-focused

Big Data Big Analytics Big Data will impact every part of your life – Explaining Big Data (technical) – Big Data in Action –Express Scripts uses SAS Analytics to Improve Medical Adherence –