Database

• Data


  Collection of facts and figures which can be processed to produce information
• Database


  A collection of data
• Database Management System (DBMS)

  • Provides management of databases
  • Used to store, update, retrieve, manipulate and helps to produce information
  • Controls access to data
  • Provides convenient and efficient way to retrieve data
  • Supports secure, atomic access to very large amounts of data
  • Provides concurrent access (different users at the same time)
  • Provides an interface between users and the database
  • Backup and Recovery in event of a system failure
  • Security - password allocation and access rights to particular layouts
• Purpose of DBMS


  • Provides secure and survivable medium for storage and retrieval of data
  • Data shared among several users and is persistent
  • Provides mechanism to create, access and manipulate data without compromising security and integrity of data
  • Redundancy can be reduced
  • Inconsistency can be avoided
• Conventional File Processing System


  Each subsystem of the information will have its own set of files, resulting in duplication of data between various subsystems
• Database System


  Single centralized database which minimizes the redundancy of data to a greater extent
• Disadvantages of Conventional File Processing System

  • Data redundancy and inconsistency
  • Difficulty in accessing data
  • Data isolation
  • Integrity problems
  • Atomicity problems
  • Concurrent-access anomalies
  • Security problems
• Data Redundancy


  Same information may be duplicated in several places
• Data Inconsistency


  All copies may not be updated properly
• Difficulty in Accessing Data

  May have to write a new application program to satisfy an unusual request
• Data Isolation


  Data in different files and different formats, making it difficult to write new application programs
• Integrity Problems


  Data lacks integrity, i.e. the quality by which information from the system can be trusted
• Atomicity Problems


  Transfer of funds from one account to another should either complete or not happen at all
• Concurrent-Access Anomalies


  Uncontrolled concurrent accesses can lead to inconsistencies
• Security Problems


  Lack of security, i.e. there are no restrictions on who can see what
• Information and Communication Technology (ICT)


  Broader term for Information Technology (IT) which refers to all communication technologies, including the internet, wireless networks, cellphones, computers, software, middleware, video-conferencing, social networking and other media applications and services
• Components of ICT


  • Software
  • Hardware
  • Transactions
  • Communications Technology
  • Data
  • Internet Access
  • Cloud Computing
• ICT in Construction


  Adaptation of information communication and technology in construction procedure
• Application of ICT in Construction

  • Predesign
  • Design
  • Construction
  • Operation
  • Maintenance
• Predesign


  • To define the requirements of the clients with respect to space management, cost, of quality and time f completion project. It includes preliminary design, layouts, site soil tests, topography etc. to check the feasibility of the project.
• Design


  • Designing phase includes virtual construction before starting the real construction to check the efficiency of the project. It's considered major step to be taken in the construction that highly improves the performance of the project in all respects.
• Construction


  • Involves cost estimation and schedule management or any one of them. It may also include the choice of technology, the time taken to complete each task, required resources, etc.
• Operation


  • The automated system is used in the operation of structures like adjustment of the gate of the dam. It is also highly useful in structures like hospitals, shopping complexes for the operation of the elevator, lift, escalator, etc.
• Maintenance


  • Regular maintenance of the constructed structures can be done using ICT. For example: the scanner can be to detect the width of the internal crack and determine whether the structure is safe or not.
• Advantages of ICT in Construction

  • Improves the performance of construction processes in terms of cost, time, quality, and client satisfaction
  • Enhance cooperation, coordination, and collaboration level
  • Change in the design can be made efficiently
  • Lower financial risk
  • Helps in completing the project in estimated time and budget
  • Effective communication between project participants
  • Possibility of error is minimized
  • Information flow is accurate
• Data


  Contains raw figures and facts, as an input, goes through a filtration process followed by a meaningful organization to generate output or information
• Information


  Provides insights analyzed through the data. Information can't exist without data, but data doesn't rely on the information.
• Information Systems


  • An integrated set of components for collecting, storing and processing data and for providing information, knowledge and digital products
  • Business firms and other organizations rely on information systems to carry out and manage their operations, interact with their customers and suppliers and compete in the market place
• Main Components of Information Systems

  • Computer hardware and software
  • Telecommunications
  • Databases and data warehouses
  • Human resources and procedures
• Computer Hardware


  Computer-based information systems use computer hardware such as processors, monitors, keyboards and printers
• Computer Software


  The programs used to organize, process and analyze data, falls into two broad classes: systems software and application software
• Telecommunications


  Used to connect or network computer systems and portable and wearable devices
• Information systems hardware


  The part of an information system you can touch – the physical components of the technology
• Information systems hardware


  • Computers, keyboards, disk drives, iPads, and flash drives
• Computer software


  The programs used to organize, process and analyze data
• Types of computer software

  • Systems software
  • Application software
• Operating system


  The principal system software that manages the hardware, data and program files and other system resources and provide means for the user to control the computer generally via graphical user interface (GUI)
• Application software


  Programs designed to handle specific tasks for users
• Telecommunications


  Used to connect or network computer systems and portable and wearable devices and to transmit information
• Telecommunications technologies


  • Wired (coaxial cable and fibre optics)
  • Wireless (microwaves and radio waves)