Fall Semester 2002

• Introduce Premiere Products, the company that is used as the basis for many of the examples throughout the text.
• Introduce basic database terminology.
• Describe database management systems.
• Explain the advantages and disadvantages of database processing.
• Introduce Henry Books, the company that is used in the case that runs throughout the text.

Key Terms

• attribute
• column
• data file
• data independence
• database
• database administration (DBA)
• database administrator
• database design
• database management system (DBMS)
• entity
• field
• form
• integrity
• integrity constraint
• one-to-many relationship
• redundancy
• relationship
• security
• switchboard

I.	Introduction
II.	Premiere Products Background
III.	Database Background
IV.	Database Management Systems
V.	Advantages of Database Processing
VI.	Disadvantages of Database Processing
VII.	Introduction to the Henry Books Database Case
VIII.	Summary
IX.	Key Terms
X.	Review Questions
XI.	Premiere Products Exercises
XII.	Henry Books Case

Premiere Products Background

Premiere Products, a distributor of appliances, housewares, and sporting goods is a fictitious company that will be used throughout the text. Since its inception, the company has used spreadsheet software to maintain company data. There are several problems associated with using spreadsheets to maintain this data. These problems include: redundancy (duplication of data), difficulty accessing related data, limited security features, multiple updates, and size limitations. Redundancy wastes spaces, makes changes more cumbersome and time-consuming, and can lead to inconsistencies. In this chapter we are introduced to the type of data that Premiere Products must be able to store and retrieve. Premiere Products must maintain information about sales reps, customers, and parts inventory as well as store information about orders. The company needs to maintain data on more than one category (customers, sales reps, orders, parts) and is interested in the relationships between the categories.

Database Background

The database terms entity, attribute, and relationship are defined and discussed. An entity is a person, place, object, event, or idea for which you want to store and process data. An attribute is a characteristic or property of an entity. A relationship is an association between entities. The one-to-many relationship that exists between sales reps and customers in the Premiere Products database is explained. In a database system, a one-to-many relationship is handled by using common columns in the two tables. A database is a structure that can store information about multiple types of entities, the attributes of those entities, and the relationships among the entities. A data file (a file used to store data) is not the same as a database.

Database Management Systems

A Database Management System (DBMS) is a program, or collection of programs, through which users interact with a database. Popular DBMSs include Access, Oracle, DB2, and SQL Server. Students are exposed to the concept of database design and are introduced to forms, reports, and a switchboard system for the Premiere Products database.

Advantages of Database Processing

The advantages of database processing are: getting more information from the same amount of data; sharing data; balancing conflicting requirements; controlling redundancy; facilitating consistency; improving integrity; expanding security; increasing productivity; and providing data independence.

Disadvantages of Database Processing

The disadvantages of database processing are: larger file size; increased complexity; greater impact of failure; and more difficult recovery.

Introduction to the Henry Books Database Case

In this section, we are introduced to the Henry Books database. Ray Henry, the owner of a bookstore chain, must maintain information about bookstore branches, publishers, authors, and books. The type of data that Henry needs to maintain is described.

Quick Quiz

• What problem wastes space because the same data is stored in multiple places?
  ANSWER: redundancy (highlight to see answer)

• What is an association between entities called?
  ANSWER: relationship (highlight to see answer)

The importance of databases

In a society of knowledge workers, an understanding of databases and database management systems is critical. When individuals use the computerized card catalog at the library, they are using a database. When they access the World Wide Web, they are using a database. When customers order a pizza by phone, the pizza employee uses a database to check the customer's previous ordering history, name, and address. Much of what we now do in society would be impossible without database management systems. The concepts and techniques that we learn in this class will help us with all aspects of our lives - academic, professional, and personal.