Intro to Databases

• What is the main purpose of a database?

  To organize a collection of data
• How does organizing data into a database benefit users?

  It allows easy adding, modification, and searching
• What was the traditional method of organizing information before databases?

  Paper-based filing systems
• What are some benefits of electronic databases over paper-based systems?

  Faster data management and multi-user access
• What is a flat file database?

  A database with a single table
• What are the components of a table in a database?

  Records (rows) and fields (columns)
• What file format is commonly used to save flat file databases?

  Comma separated values (CSV)
• What is a common use for flat file databases?

  Storing contact details or small product databases
• Why can flat file databases become inefficient?

  They have repetitive data and take up space
• What is the purpose of creating multiple tables in a relational database?

  To reduce data redundancy and improve efficiency
• What is a relationship in a database?

  A link between two tables
• What type of relationship exists between a tutor group and students?

  One to many relationship
• What is a primary key in a database?

  A unique identifier for each record
• How does a foreign key function in a relational database?

  It links to a primary key in another table
• What are the three types of relationships in relational databases?

  One to one, one to many, many to many
• What is an entity relationship diagram (ERD)?


  A visual representation of table relationships
• What does a one-to-one relationship indicate?

  One record in each table corresponds to one record
• Why is a many-to-many relationship not ideal in database design?

  It complicates data management and retrieval
• How can you improve a flat file database?

  By splitting it into multiple related tables
• What is the role of an index in a database?


  To speed up data retrieval
• What is a secondary key in a database?

  A field used for additional search criteria
• Why might you create a secondary index on the surname field?

  To facilitate searching by surname
• What are the key concepts associated with relational databases?

  • Primary keys
  • Foreign keys
  • Secondary keys
  • Entity relationship modeling
  • Normalization
  • Indexing
• What is the benefit of indexing primary keys?

  It allows quick location of records
• What happens when a database is queried?

  Information is retrieved based on search criteria
• How does a relational database differ from a flat file database?

  Relational databases use multiple linked tables
• What is the significance of the common field in linked tables?

  It enables the relationship between tables
• What is the purpose of normalization in databases?

  To reduce redundancy and improve efficiency
• What is the role of a primary key in the student table?

  It uniquely identifies each student record
• How do you identify a primary key in a table?

  It must be a unique field in each record
• What is the relationship between the car showroom and cars?

  One showroom can have many cars
• What is the primary key for the car table?

  Car registration number
• How does a database maintain an index of primary keys?

  It automatically tracks the position of records
• Why is it unlikely for a parent to remember a student ID?

  They are more likely to remember the surname