BTEC 2012

Unit 1 The Online World

Name: .

Lesson 11 Data Storage

(Student Book B Pg. 18 - 21)

Starter What is meant by data storage?

Data storage is a general term for archiving data in electromagnetic or other forms for use by a
computer or device. Different types of data storage play different roles in a computing
environment.

1. What is a database structure made out of?

Database is an organized collection of data. The data are typically organized to model aspects of
reality in a way that supports processes requiring information. For example, modelling the
availability of rooms in hotels in a way that supports finding a hotel with vacancies.
2. Explain what is meant be each of the following terms.
Table:
A piece of furniture with a flat top and one or more legs, providing a level surface for eating,
writing, or working at.
Record
A thing constituting a piece of evidence about the past, especially an account kept in writing or
some other permanent form.
Field

data that has several parts, known as a record, can be divided into fields

Relationship

Data Type
A data type or simply type is a classification identifying one of various types of data, such as real,
integer or Boolean, that determines the possible values for that type; the operations that can be
done on values of that type; the meaning of the data; and the way values of that type can be
stored.
3. Name the various data types that are used in databases.
1. Analytic Databases
2. Operational Databases
3. Database Models
4. Hierarchical Databases
Databases use relationships to link different tables together as shown below.

A.Silver

BTEC 2012
Unit 1 The Online World

Name: .

Online databases are databases which are accessible using a network, including the internet.
They are very different to local databases as they have to be accessed, and possibly updated,
by millions of users. Normally these databases will have thousands of rows of information.
Usually information is found in online databases by using a search engine.
4. How might an online database be used?

Generally, use a database when you need to find specific information.

5. What is a DBMS? What does it do?

A database management system (DBMS) is a collection of programs that enables you to store,
modify, and extract information from a database. There are many different types of DBMSs, ranging
from small systems that run on personal computers to huge systems that run on mainframes.
computerized library systems
automated teller machines
flight reservation systems
computerized parts inventory systems
6. Name some common database management systems that are used:
Hierarchical DBMS
Network DBMS
Relational DBMS

Plenary What is the difference between a database and a database management system?
A system intended for easily organizing, storing and retrieving large amounts
of data, is called a database. In other words, a database holds a bundle of
organized data (typically in digital form) for one or more users. Furthermore
DBMS (Database Management System) is actually the whole system used for
managing digital databases which allows storage of database content,
creation/maintenance of data, search and other functionalities.

A.Silver