1. Unit 1, Lesson 2 What Is a Database? AOIT Database Design Copyright © 2009–2012 National Academy Foundation. All rights reserved.

2. Databases store large groups of files A database is like a large computerized filing cabinet. Application program (UI) DBMS Database

3. Database applications control the user experience Application program (UI) You want to fly from San Francisco to Philadelphia. How would a database application help you make your reservation? The application could: Ask where you are now Ask where you want to go Ask when you want to go and return (days and times) Ask what type seat you prefer (first-class, business, coach) Allow you to browse different prices A database application controls the user interface you see on your computer screen

4. Database applications talk to the DBMS Application program (UI) DBMS Through the UI, you tell the application that you want to travel on July 10 in the morning and return home the evening of July 20. Then, the application takes this request to the database management system (DBMS). A database application helps users ask for information and creates reports that are meaningful and organized.

5. A DBMS talks to the application and the database Application program (UI) DBMS Database The DBMS takes the application’s question and turns it into a set of database commands that the DBMS can use to search the database and retrieve the desired information about flight availability. What DBMS will you be using in this course? Some popular DBMSs you may have heard of are Microsoft Access, FileMaker, MySQL, and Oracle.

6. Databases can serve many purposes All sorts of people and groups use databases: Enterprise level Banks Travel industry Retail Groups Office teams Students Researchers Individuals Household records Collections Recipes What other uses can you think of for databases?

7. Enterprise databases serve thousands of users Enterprise-level databases: Allow thousands of users to work with a database all at once Can have very strict security features Are very different from smaller-sized databases Can hold millions of records Are highly complex

8. Workgroup databases help groups work together Workgroup databases bridge the gap between enterprise-level and personal databases Typically have 50 to 100 simultaneous users Very popular in small to mid-sized organizations The most common class of database Can you think of a way that your school might use a workgroup database?

9. Individual databases keep people organized Individual databases can: Organize household records Maintain collections (DVDs, books, recipes, anything) Be used by one or only a few people Are there any databases in use at your home?

10. Powerful tools help us access databases Database applications and DBMSs help people access the information stored in databases. There is a database class for any size group: enterprise, workgroup, or individual. There are many database management systems on the market today. This course will focus on one of the most popular, Microsoft Access. Soon, you will be designing a database of your own.

11. Databases enable users to store and retrieve information Application program (UI) DBMS Database Using the picture above, can you explain how data that a user inputs at the keyboard gets stored in a database? When a user retrieves data, what path does the data take?