Chapter 7 : Storing Organizational Information - Databases

Learning Outcomes

1.  Describe the two primary methods for integrating information across multiple databases.

·         Backward integration - takes information entered into a given system and sends it automatically to all upstream systems and processes.

·        Forward integration - takes information entered into a given system and sends it automatically to all downstream systems and process.

2.  Describe the benefits of a data-driven Web site.

·         A data-driven Web site is an interactive Web site kept constantly updated and relevant to the needs of its customers through the use of a database. Data-driven Web sites are especially useful when the site offers a great deal of information, products, or services. Web site visitors are frequently angered if they are buried under an avalanche of information when searching a Web site. A data-driven Web site invites visitors to select and view what they are interested in by inserting a query, which the Web site then analyzes and custom builds a Web page in real-time that satisfies the query.

3.  Define the fundamental concepts of the relational database model.

·         The relational database model stores information in the form of logically related two-dimensional tables.

·         Entities, attributes, primary keys, and foreign keys are all fundamental concepts included in the relational database model.

4.  Evaluate the advantages of the relational database model.

·         Database advantages from a business perspective include

·         Increased flexibility

·         Increased scalability and performance

·         Reduced information redundancy

·         Increased information integrity (quality ) 

·         Increased information security

5.  Compare operational integrity constraints and business-critical integrity constraints.

  ·       Operational integrity constraints are rules that enforce basic and fundamental information-based constraints.

 ·    Business-critical integrity constraints are rules that enforce business rules vital to an organization’s success and often   require more insight and knowledge than operational integrity constraints.