WGU D426 - Data Management Foundations Study guide for Western Governors University LWO2

WGU D426 - Data Management Foundations Study guide for Western Governors University LWO2

1. Data: numeric, textual, visual, or audio information that describes real-world systems. 2. analog: Historically, data was mostly , encoded as continuous variations on various physical media. 3. digital: Today, data is mostly , encoded as zeros and ones on electronic and magnetic media. 4. database: a collection of data in a structured format. In principle, can be stored on paper or even clay tablets. In practice, however, modern ones are invariably stored on computers. 5. database system / database management system / DBMS: software that reads and writes data in a database. ensure data is secure, internally consistent, and available at all times. These functions are challenging for large databases with many users, so data base systems are complex. 6. database application: software that helps business users interact with database systems. 7. database administrator: - responsible for securing the database system against unauthorized users. - enforces procedures for user access and database system availability. 8. database designer: determines the format of each data element and the overall database structure. Must balance several priorities, including storage, response time, and support for rules that govern the data. Since these priorities often conflict, database design is technically challenging. 9. database programmer: develops computer programs that utilize a database. 10. database user: - a consumer of data in a database. request, update, or use stored data to generate reports or information. - usually access the database via applications but can also submit queries directly to the database system. 11. transaction: a group of queries that must be either completed or rejected as a whole. Execution of some, but not all, queries results in inconsistent or incorrect data. 12. query processor: - interprets queries, creates a plan to modify the database or retrieve data, and returns query results to the application. - manages connections from multiple users and compiles queries into low-level instructions for the storage engine. 13. query optimization: The query processor performs to ensure the most efficient instructions are executed on the data. 14. indexes: used by the storage manager to quickly locate data. 15. transaction manager: ensures transactions are properly executed.