FACULTY OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
SEMINAR PAPER
Subject: English language
Topic: Databases
Mentor: Student:
Asst. Mediha Dervišić Mirnes Čavkić, FIT-11/21
Travnik, December, 2021.
Contents
1. Introduction........................................................................................................................1
2. Introduction to databases..................................................................................................2
3. Types of program for working with databases...................................................................4
3.1 File management programs........................................................................................4
3.2 Database management system...................................................................................4
4. Database models................................................................................................................5
4.1 Hierarchical model.......................................................................................................5
4.2 Network model............................................................................................................6
4.3 Relational model..........................................................................................................6
4.4 Object-oriented model................................................................................................7
5. Languages for working with databases..............................................................................8
6. Database life cycle..............................................................................................................9
7. Data modelling..................................................................................................................10
7.1 Entities and attributes...............................................................................................10
7.2 Connections...............................................................................................................10
8. Conclusion.........................................................................................................................11
9. Literature..........................................................................................................................12
1. Introduction
In every business system, regardless of the activity, there are many objects (E.g. business
partners, products, services, invoices, orders, contracts, etc). It is necessary to record certain data
about them (E.g. in the contract it is necessary to record the names of the parties to the contract,
the date and subject of contract, as well as a number of other data). It is necessary to note that
many objects are interconnected, and that this connection should be noted. Data on all these
facilities and interconnections are recorded In the database. A database is a business system data
model.
Understanding the concept of databases and information systems is a prerequisite for entering
the information society. Regardless of the type of work you do you will probably, sooner or late,
come across databases and information systems.
A database is higher level of data operation compared to classical programming languages. It
is a technology that was created to remove the shortcomings of the traditional “automatic data
processing” from the 60's and 70's of the 20th century. The technology has achieved higher
productivity, quality and reliability in the development of applications that are reduced to storing
and retrieving data in a computer system.
Data is formalized information that can be reinterpreted and that is suitable for
communication, interpretation or processing.
In this seminar paper we will get acquainted with databases, get to know what databases are,
how they are divided, what types of databases we have, some of the basic concepts when creating
a database, steps of creating, connections between data…
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2. Introduction to databases
A database is set of interconnected data, stored in the external memory of computer system.
Databases have several definitions, some of the definitions are:
• A database is a set of interdependent data stored without redundancy that serves one or more
applications in an optimal way, where the data is independent of the programs being processed
and where there is controlled access to the data (Martin, 1977);
• Database is a set of operational and integrated data in one organization (Date, 1990);
• A database is a set of related data (Elmasri, Navathe, 1994).
Picture 1. Database server
A database is a set of permanently stored information system data, it represents the highest
element in the hierarchical organization of data. The lower parts of files are file, record, field,
character and bit.
A file is an integral part of a database, and can be used to store data that belongs to the same
type of object. E.g. The file named “Customers” contains information about customers. The file is
often displayed in tabular form (Table 1.).
ID Customer name Customer addres
105 LANCO computers Mladena Stojanovića 12
167 Desk computers Jovana Dučića 5
245 ANEKS Save Mrkalja 9
Table 1. Table for displaying the “customers” file
A record is smaller record than a file, it contains only data about one object (table row). A
syllable consists of a field.
The field contains only the data of one attribute (feature) of the object, such as
“Customer name”.
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3. Types of program for working with databases
Two types software applications are generally used to work with databases:
File management programs
Database management system
3.1 File management programs
These programs are used exlusively to work with only one file. With the file manager, the user
can create a database, store and search data within it. These programs are fairly easy to use and are
practical for individual use or use in small organizations that need automated data wor (E.g. a student
database what will keep records of grades and absences).
Picture 2. Simple database in the excel program
3.2 Database management system
DBMS is a set of programs, which are necessary for defining, creating, handling, managing
and using database. Examples of these software are Microsoft's Access and SQL Server, Oracle's
Oracle, Corporation and IBM's DB2.
These system model real-world data, store it independently of applications and make it easier
for users to access, sort, retrieve, and print data. DBMS system have their own query language that
allows you to quickly find important information.
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4. Database models
There are four database models:
Hierarchical model
Network model
Relational model
Object-oriented model
4.1 Hierarchical model
The hierarchical model is the oldest solution in the field of database. The main advantage of
this the model is extremely clear and the data at any level can be reached only by one access path,
ranging from data of the highest logical order to a lower hierarchical rank. This method is enabled
because the data is physically connected to each other by a series of address pointers that are
connected in a single chain.
Picture 3. Example of a hierarchical model
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4.2 Network model
The network model has evolved from a hierarchical one, the network model is based on a
network of data connected so that there are neither basic nor subordinate segments. In network models
and databases, numerous access roads can cross and shell multiple times, witch in extreme cases can
cause new types of problems. Although the network data structure reduces data redundancy and
shortens system response time when searching for data, too many possible access paths complicate the
system too much, making it slow and inefficient.
Picture 4. Example of network model
4.3 Relational model
Hierarchical and network models cannot be used due to the difficulty of connections. In such
cases, it is appropriate to present the data to the insight of two-dimensional tables, as is the case with
the relational mode. A relational model is a set of linked files, which represent data in the form of
simple two-dimensional tables that are linked by relations.
Picture 5. Example of relational model
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4.4 Object-oriented model
The object-oriented model is inspired by object-oriented programming language. A database
is a set of permanently stored object derived from its internal data and operations to manage that data.
Each object belong to a class. Inheritance, aggregation, or mutual use of operations are established
between classes.
Picture 6. Example of object-oriented model
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5. Languages for working with databases
Communication between the user (application program) and the database system takes place
using special languages.
These languages are divided into three groups:
Dada Description Language (DDL)
Data Manipulation Language (DML)
Query Language (QL)
Data Description Language- Used by the database designer or administrator to record a
schema or view. So we use this language to define data and connections between data, on logical
level. DDL commands are usually reminiscent of commands for defining complex data types
languages such as COBOL, PL/I, C, Pascal.
Data Manipulation Language- This language is used to connect the application program to the
database. DML commands allow you to “manoeuver” within the database and perform simple
operations such as writing, changing, deleting or reading records. This language in some software
packages comes as a DML library where commands are reduced to subroutine calls. The other
packages are really a special language where the programmer write the program.
Query Language- Used when we want to search a database. This language is reminiscent of
English.
This division is considered obsolete. Relational databases work by combining all three
languages into one comprehensive one. An example of a comprehensive language is SQL (Structured
Query Language). SQL is now considered the basic language for database management
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6. Database life cycle
In order to create a database in a company, it goes through five phases: analysis, data
modelling, implementation, testing and maintenance.
Analysis- Information flows in the company are studied. The data that must be entered, the
connections between these data and the analysis of how many operations will be performed within the
database are dressed.
Data modelling- In this phase of creating a database, it is determined which connections are
used between tables, primary keys are defined, tables, entities and attributes are formed.
Implementation- In this phase, the database that we previously designed in the first two steps
is transferred to the computer in the program intended for that.
Testing- Users perform a test period and check that the database meets all requirements. They
try to find and discover mistakes from previous stages of development. Mistakes in the early stages
are more serious and more difficult to resolve.
Maintenance- This phase takes place when the database has already entered regular use. It
consists of fixing errors, introducing changes, adjusting parameters in the DBMS to improve
performance.
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7. Data modelling
Database modelling starts by making an ER database model. The ER (Entity-Relationship
model) model is a graphical representation of database along with entity, attributes and connections.
Entity: is an object or event that interests us;
Connections: relationships between entities that are of interest to us;
Attributes: entity properties and relationships that are of interest to us;
Picture 7. Example ER model
7.1 Entities and attributes
An entity is something we want to store data about, it can be an object or a being (e.g. A
house, a student, a car…), an event or phenomenon (e.g. A holiday, a game …).
The entity is described by attributes (e.g. attributes for the car entity are: chassis number,
colour, model, seat number …)
For each entity it is necessary to find an attribute that is unique to all and one example of a
new entity, this attribute is called the primary key. The primary key will be used to establish an M:N
(more to more) connection between the attributes.
7.2 Connections
Connections are established between two or more entity types. There are three types
connections:
One-to-one(1:1)- One instance of the first entity can be related to only one instance of
the second entity
One-to-many(1:M)- One instance of the first entity may be related to multiple
instances of the second.
Many-to-many(M:N)- Multiple examples of the first entity may be related to multiple
examples of the second entity.
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8. Conclusion
In this seminar paper, we introduced the reader to the basics of databases. The paper explains
what databases are, models of databases, architects and many other things are presented. The steps
during the realization of one database are explained and each element of the database is explained in
detail. Databases are the present and the future in all branches of entrepreneurship, every company
needs to have its own database in order to be able to keep records of its work in a very secure way and
guarantee data security.
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9. Literature
[1] https://en.wikipedia.org
[2] Pavle Kaluđerčić, Slobodan Obradović „Baze podataka“, Beograd 2007.
[3] https://searchdatamanagement.techtarget.com
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