Accuracy: accuracy provides examples such as the dollar amount being recorded properly. it ensures all data and information are all recorded to the exact number or letter to avoid confusion and chaos within the database,
Completeness: completeness asks whether or not the address of a person includes street, suburb, state and post code as well. This provides concise and complete data so nothing is ambiguous to the user, so that no information is missing.
Consistency: looks at whether or not certain data equals or flows with other information of the same nature in another set of information. This ensures that information is certain as they are consistent with all other information. For example the format used to write date of birth information should be written the same throughout all the data base.
Uniqueness: is each significant piece of information represented only once in the information? Examples where this is not the case is when the same customer is recorded twice.
Timeliness: tries to keep information within the current business requirements. Information should be updated on a regular basis depending on the organisation.
Define the relationship between a database and a database management system.
A database contains information about different types of inventory, transactions, employees and warehouses.
A database management system is software where users and application programs interact with a database
The relationship is simple. The database holds the information while data base management systems retrieve, gather and sort data for the purpose of the user.
Describe the advantages an organisation can gain by using a database.
Increased flexibility: able to handle changes more quickly and easily
Increased scalability and performance: ability to scale to handle large volumes of information and the large number of users required for the success of the information database.
Reduced information redundancy: eliminates information redundancy by recording each piece of information in only one place in the database. This saves space, making performing information updates easier and improves the quality of the information.
Increased information integrity (quality): produces higher quality information that will provide better support for business decisions.
Increased information security: securities such as passwords, access levels and access controls help to provided protection in a world that needs higher security with the growth of the internet.
Define the fundamental concepts of the relational database model.
Entities and attributes: An entity is a place, person, thing, transaction or event in the relational database model where the information is stored. Attributes (also known as fields or columns) are characteristics or properties of an entity class.
Keys and relationships: A primary key is a field that uniquely identifies a given entity in a table. A foreign key is a primary key in the relational database model that appears as an attribute in another table and acts to provide a logical relationship between the two tables.
source: http://abtech.edu/bh/bct/samples_cit/DJ_dolls_access.jpg
Describe the benefits of a data-driven website.
Development: allows the website owner to make changes any time-all without having to rely on a developer or known HTML programming. A well-structured, data driven website enables updating with little or no training.
Content management: a static website requires a programmer to make updates. this adds an unnecessary layer between the business and its web content, which can lead to misunderstandings and slow turnarounds for desired changes.
Future expandability: having a data-driven website enables the site to grow faster than would be possible with a static website. Changing the layout, displays and functionality of the site is easier with data-driven information.
Minimising human error: a well designed data driven website will have 'error-trapping' mechanisms to make sure that required information is filled out correctly and that content is entered and displayed in its correct format.
Cutting production and update costs: updates and publishes by any competent data-entry or administrative person can be implemented. this will be convenient, more affordable and training is very fast.
More efficient: will improve the reliability and stability of a website while greatly reducing the chance of breaking some part of the site when adding new areas
Improved stability: there is a peace of mind, knowing the content is never lost even if the programmer them self is unable.
Describe the roles and purposes of data warehouses and data marts in an organisation.
A data warehouse is a logical collection of information gathered from many different operational databases that supports business analysis activities and decision making tasks. The primary purpose of a data warehouse is to aggregate information throughout an organisation into a single repository in such a way that employees can make decisions and undertake business activities.
