Question

In this assignment, you will study databases and differentiate between the various database models and tools available to design databases.

Specify at least two real-life situations where you have seen a database in use and based on your observations, answer the following questions:

• How different would each situation be without the database?
• What are the components of the database or data storage system that you have seen in use?
• Which type of database system is being used in the establishments where you have seen the database? How did you recognize this type of data storage system?
• Why do these situations benefit from the use of databases? What are the factors that make it necessary to use databases in these examples?

Pick one of the database models and list at least two situations in which the model can be applied. You can choose to find the model used in the database that you find in your real-life situation and then answer.

Further, research the Internet for features of the tools that can help you create a database design. You can confine your search to:

• Erwin
• Visio
• Power Designer

Based on your research, would you recommend any of these tools for database design based on the information available on the Internet? Why or why not? You may discuss other tools in addition to these.

Answer 1

Data Bases:

A data base model shows the logical structure of a database, including the relationships and constraints that detemine how data an be stored and accessed. Individual database models are designed based on the rules and concepts of whichever broader data model the designers adopt. Most data models can be represented by an accomnanying database diagram.

Differences between the various database models and tools available to design databases:

The various database models availlable to design databases are:

• Hierarchical database model.
• Relational model
• Network model
• Object-oriented database model
• Entity-relationship model
• Document model
• Entity-attribute-value model

You may choose to describe a database with any one of these depending on several factors. The biggest factor is whether the database management system you are using supports a particular model. Most database management systems are built with a particular data model in mind and require their users to adopt that model, although some do support multiple models.

In addition, different models apply to different stages of the database design process. High-level conceptual data models are best for mapping out relationships between data in ways that people perceive that data. Record-based logical models, on the other hand, more closely reflect ways that the data is stored on the server.

Selecting a data model is also a matter of aligning your priorities for the database with the strengths of a particular model, whether those priorities include speed, cost reduction, usability, or something else.

A list of database tools that are used for Database designing are:

• Visual Paradigm ERD Tools
• dModelAid
• Vertabelo
• Lucidchart
• SQL Server Database Modeler
• DeZign for Databases
• Erwin Data Modeler
• Aqua Data Studio ER Modeler
• DbWrench
• IBM InfoSphere Data Architect... etc.

These are the most popular Database Designing tools that simplify the process of database designing by supporting some powerful features.

Each of these tools provides some specific features and usage of each is dependent upon the requirement of the users, hence, which tool is best to use for database designing is totally dependent upon the type and implementation of the requirements.

Some other database designing tools like Toad Data Modeler, DB schema, etc. are also available in the market to ease the process of database designing. Users can analyze each tool and after comparing their pros and cons they can use any of these tools for successful designing of the database.

-The data model is the design for the data irrespective of storage technology; the database schema is the design for the data modified to fit in a specific database technology. There are multiple types of data models: Conceptual data model -least detail. Logical data model- most business detail.

Real-life situations where database is used::

• Online Television Streaming

Any online streaming service, such as Hulu or Netflix, uses databases to generate a list of TV shows and movies to watch. The database tracks an individual’s show preferences, and provide a list of recommended viewing.

• Sports

Fan participation in national sports doesn’t just utilize the power of the database, it depends upon it. From fantasy football leagues to March Madness brackets, they all depend on huge databases full of player statistics. This includes game performances, injury reports, and more, all calculating the odds of a win on a weekly basis.

• Government Organizations

Government organizations around the world are constantly collecting data for research, defense, legislation, and humanitarianism purposes, to name a few. This data is collected, stored and analyzed using powerful and far-reaching database services.

• Social Media

Every social media platform stores reams of user information in databases used to recommend friends, businesses, products, and topics to the end user. This cross-referencing of data is immensely complex and uses highly reliable and capable database software. For example, MySQL is used in Facebook data centers.

Real time Example of Database:

To find the model used in the database that I find in my real-life situation is:::

The best example I can find to explain SQL and its ACID properties is a banking system. Let’s say I want to transfer funds from my own account to my husband’s. There will be a series of calls or queries made to send the money from one account to the other. All calls must be answered and completed in order for the transaction to be completed. If a call fails, the transaction will not be completed and we’ll both keep our money (atomic). The information in each of our account won’t be affected by the transaction (consistency). Each call made to the database will only be related to our transaction (isolation). Finally, once the transaction is successful, we won’t be able to cancel it (durability).

The best-known RDBMS using SQL to create and query databases are IBM DB2, Oracle, Microsoft Access and MySQL. Examples of SQL-based databases citizens use every day include banking systems, computerized medical records, and online shopping to name just a few.