Relational, ObjectOriented, and

Multi dimensional
Databases

Relational Databases

A relational database is a database that

stores data in tables that consist of rows and
columns.

Each row has a primary key and each column

has a unique name

A relational database uses terms different from

a file processing system.

A developer of a relational database refers to a

file as a relation, a record as a tuple, and a
field as an attribute. A user of a relational
database, by contrast, refers to a file as a
table, a record as a row, and a field as a
column.
DATA TERMINOLOGY
File Processing Environment

Relational Database
Developer

Relational Database User

File

Relation

Table

Record

Tuple

Row

Field

Attribute

column

In addition to storing data, a relational database

also stores data relationships.

A relationship is a link within the data. In a

relational database, you can set up a
relationship between tables at any time.

In a relational database, the only data

redundancy (duplication) exists in the common
columns (fields). The database uses these
common columns for relationships.

Many organizations use relational databases for

payroll, accounts receivable, accounts payable,
general ledger, inventory, order entry,
invoicing, and other business-related functions.

Object-Oriented
Databases

An object-oriented database (OODB) stores data in

objects.

An object is an item that contains data, as well as the

actions that read or process the data. A Student
object, for example, might contain data about a
student such as Student ID, First Name, Last Name,
Address, and so on. It also could contain instructions
about how to print a student transcript or the formula
required to calculate a students grade point average.

Object-oriented databases have several advantages

compared with relational databases

they can store more types of data, access this data

faster, and allow programmers to reuse objects.

Object Query Language Object-oriented

databases often use a query language called
object query language (OQL) to manipulate and
retrieve data. OQL is similar to SQL. OQL and
SQL use many of the same rules, grammar, and
keywords. Because OQL is a relatively new
query language, not all object databases
support it.

Multidimensional
Databases

A multidimensional database stores data in

dimensions.

Whereas a relational database is a two-dimensional

table, a multidimensional database can store more than
two dimensions of data.

No standard query language exists for multidimensional

databases. Each database uses its own language. Most
are similar to SQL.

Data Warehouse is a huge database that stores and

manages the data required to analyze historical and
current transactions.

A smaller version of a data warehouse is the data mart.

A data mart contains a database that helps a specific
group or department make decisions.

Web Databases

Some Web databases are collaborative

databases, where users store and share photos,
videos, recordings, and other personal media with
other registered users

To access data in a Web database, you fill in a

form or enter search text on a Web page. Many
search engines such as Yahoo! use databases to
store Web site descriptions.

To access the database, you enter search text

into the search engine. A Web database usually
resides on a database server. A database server
is a computer that stores and provides access to
a database.

Database
Administration

Managing a companys database requires a

great deal of coordination. The role of
coordinating the use of the database belongs to
the database analysts and administrators. To
carry out their responsibilities, these IT
(information technology) professionals follow
database design guidelines and need
cooperation from all database users.

Database Design
Guidelines

Role of the Database

Analysts and
Administrators

The database analysts and administrators are

responsible for managing and coordinating all database
activities. The database analyst (DA) decides on the
proper placement of fields, defines the relationships
among data, and identifies users access privileges.

The database administrator (DBA) requires a more

technical inside view of the data. The DBA creates and
maintains the data dictionary, manages security of the
database, monitors the performance of the database,
and checks backup and recovery procedures.

In small companies, one person often is both the DA

and DBA. In larger companies, the responsibilities of
the DA and DBA are split among two or more people.

Role of the Employee

as a User

Employees should learn how to use the data in

the database effectively. The amount of
information available often amazes first-time
database users. Instant access to information
helps employees perform their jobs more
effectively.

Today, employees access databases from their

office desktop computers, notebook computers,
or even smart phones and other mobile
devices.

The maintenance of a database is an ongoing

task that organizations measure constantly
against their overall goals.