Review Questions
1 –
- By data, we mean known facts that can be recorded and that have implicit meaning
- A database is a collection of related data

- A database management system (DBMS) is a collection of programs that enables users to create and maintain a database. The DBMS is a general-purpose software sys- tem that facilitates the processes of defining, constructing, manipulating, and sharing databases among various users and applications.
- A fundamental characteristic of the database approach is that the database system contains not only the database itself but also a complete definition or description of the database structure and constraints. This definition is stored in the DBMS catalog, which contains information such as the structure of each file, the type and storage format of each data item, and various constraints on the data.
- The structure of data files is stored in the DBMS catalog separately from the access programs. We call this property program-data independence.
- A database typically has many users, each of whom may require a different perspective or view of the database. A view may be a subset of the database or it may contain virtual data that is derived from the database files but is not explicitly stored. Some users may not need to be aware of whether the data they refer to is stored or derived. A multiuser DBMS whose users have a variety of distinct applications must provide facilities for defining multiple views.
- In a database environment, the primary resource is the database itself, and the secondary resource is the DBMS and related software. Administering these resources is the responsibility of the database administrator (DBA). The DBA is responsible for authorizing access to the database, coordinating and monitoring its use, and acquiring software and hardware resources as needed.
- End users are the people whose jobs