So I have worked with databases in the past, mostly just simple Exel spreadsheets, but as I read through these articles and wikipedia entries I realize I have only scratched the surface of what they are - in fact one may argue that I really haven't worked with databases at all. When I take into account the complex nature of the types of databases as well as the software that manages and runs them, I question knowing really what they are and how benefical they are to the processing and recalling of information in a form that is helpful to a professional.
Some key points I learned:
- Hold multiple uses; not just a gathering of information
- If you have a database you have a database management system (DBMS); there is just too much information to manage otherwise
- Databases help organize information in such a way that complex relationships between the information can be found
- The data comprises the database and it all runs on software that manages the data and it's organization
- A number of information can be benefited by the use of databases: bibliographical information, financial figures, statistics, music
- Databases came about from the need to store and access large amounts of information.
- Databases and DBMS are extremely complicated and have a large complex network of vocabulary associated with the management of information
- I am surprised at the amount of database types there are and how specialized they can be depending on the user's need and information handled. They are as diverse as we need them to be.
Though I understand that most of the terminology was lost on me I did understand the relevance of the information given through Wikipedia and associated articles. I believe as a future information professional I will be called upon to work on many types of databases and maintain them. This gives me a good resource to come back to when I need to fill in unknown information.
No comments:
Post a Comment