1. CAP 233 Organization of
Information (Databases)

2. Attendance

3. What are we doing?
Quiz 2!
In-class group activity!
Talk about database organization!
If we have time we'll look at some
of your mind maps

4. Quiz 2
Go to Blackboard, 'Content' link on
left side, Week 4 folder!
Click on Quiz 2!
When you're done turn off your
monitor (not your computer) so I can
know when to continue with class.

5. Data &
Information
What is data?!
Data can be quantities (numbers),
characters (text), symbols. (e.g. 080461)!
What is information?!
Information is data that is processed to
have meaning. (e.g. Birthday=080461)

6. What is a database?
"A structured set of data held in
computer storage and typically
accessed or manipulated by means
of specialized software." (OED, 2012)!
One could argue that format is
irrelevant (electronic vs. printed)

7. In-class Group
Activity
Follow the link for your group in the
class announcements in Blackboard!
Discuss with your group & organize
the information!
Share with the class why you
organized the way you did

8. Types of Databases
Flat file!
Hierarchical!
Relational

9. Field
Record
Flat File Database
Example

10. What is a field?
A field (aka attribute) is the smallest
subdivision of stored data in a
database. In a table it is generally
the columns.

11. What is a record?
A record (aka tuple) is a single set
of related data held within a
database. In a table it is generally
the rows.

12. Flat File Database: made up of "flat
files" that usually contain one record
per line with no relationships between
records.

13. Hierarchical Database

14. Hierarchical Database: !
database with tree structure allowing "parent/
child" relationships!
one "parent" can have multiple "children" but
not vice versa!
e.g. a dog cannot be both a mammal and a fish

15. Relational Databases

16. Relational Database
made up of multiple tables
related to each other!
each record on a table has
a unique identifier (called a
"key")

17. Advantages of
Relational Databases
Overcomes the "parent/child" of
having only one "parent"!
Prevents errors because one record is
allowed to apply to any other table in
the database!
allows access to database from
multiple access points

18. Relational dBase Example

19. Examples of
Databases
Amazon!
Facebook (1 million Gb)!
Academic Search Premier (Full text
for over 4,700 journals)

20. So, why should you
care?
Understanding how databases are
organized can help guide your
search strategy!
Perhaps it will alleviate SOME
frustration when searching

22. What you need to
do this week...
Go to Blackboard, 'Content' link on
left side, Week 4 folder!
Zotero (create acct, download
program, watch video, accept email
invite to CAP 233 group)!
Start Phase 1 of your Final Project
(Instructions will be forthcoming)