Data and Databases

WELCOME TO ENGINEERS DAY CELEBRATIONSDatabase andInformation SystemsC.RaghunathSSE/Comp.Centre/MYSSIntroductionThis presentation is intended to provide a conceptual understanding of data, database and information systems.Technical terms and jargon are avoided to a maximum extent.What is data?Data can be defined in many ways. Information science defines data as Unprocessed Information.Sole purpose of a Data Management System is converting Raw Data to refined and useful data called InformationThe Technology that deals with this transformation is called Information Technology (IT)DATAIn an organisation, every action generates Data.Ex: A coach is received in the Workshop An employee is promoted GA card is punched inRelated data gets clubbed together and become a story.

DATAExample of a story:

Coach No SRJ ***** was received at MYSS shops on 31-07-04 for first POH and was shopped out on 27-08-04. There was no corrosion. In due course, it was received on 21-10-05, 02-08-07, 18-11-08, 21-01-10 and shopped out on 19-11-05, 29-09-07, 01-12-08, 06-02-10 respectively. During its visit in 2007, it was subjected to Heavy Corrosion RepairsDATAThis data is in RAW form.Facts are not arranged.Raw data is not very useful.To have effective control on the activities of the organisation, this data needs to be refined and processedDATAProcessed Data (Information)

Database and DBMSWhat is a database? Simply, its an organized collection of data. What is a DBMS? A database management system (DBMS) provides you with the software tools you need to organize that data in a flexible manner. It includes tools to add, modify or delete data from the database,Ask questions (or queries) about the data stored in the database and produce reports summarizing selected contents. Ex: Microsoft Access, Oracle or SQL ServerDatabase Management System(DBMS)Database Management System(DBMS)DataInformationKnowledgeActionActivitiesGenerateControlInformation Systems

Generic Goal of any Information System is to : Transform Data into InformationAt the Core of an Information System is a Database (raw data).

Data centric Information systemsPassenger Reservation System of Indian Railways (PRS)Email applications like yahoo, gmail, rediffMobile telecommunication systemsOnline stores like ebay, music india onlineShare market softwareParts of a DBMSFrom the users point of view, a Database Management System consists of

Tables basic building blocksQueries retrieve specific informationForms interface between the user and DBMSReports out put from a DBMSTYPES OF DATABASESNon-relational databasesData tables are not connected. Changes made in one table do not reflect in othersEx: Change of address to be re-entered in different tables separatelyOld generation technologyTYPES OF DATABASESRelational databases (RDBMS)Data tables are connected. Changes made in one table automatically reflect in othersAll the present day databases are of this type. RELATIONAL SCHEMA

An internal representation of external worldCONCLUSIONIn a large organisation, enormous amount of data is generated.This data needs to be refined to derive useful InformationManual (paper) files or Computer files (Word, Excel files) have limited scope.Information System that is designed to collect, store and manage the data and retrieve information is the way ahead.THANK YOU !