Database

Database

1. Definition

   • A database is an accessible place where you can store information. It must be easily accessible, retrievable and processable.

2. What information does the school store about me?

   • The school stores lots of information about me and everyone else. some of these things are:
     • Your age
     • Your health (allergies, health conditions) etc
     • Your work
     • Your progress
     • Your behaviour
     • Date of birth
     • History (to make sure that they know what has happened if there is anything wrong)
     • Primary school(s)
     • SATs results
     • How you learn
     • Attendance

3. What information do businesses store about their employees?

   • Businesses store information about their employees like:
     • Ages
     • Dates of birth
     • Health records
     • How you work
     • Negative events

4. Examples of databases

   • There are many different databases but some examples are:
     • Computer based
       • Search engines
       • Electoral register
     • Paper based
       • Phone book (personal)
       • Yellow pages
     • Both
       • School registers
       • Library databases
       • Police databases
       • Telephone directories

5. Advantages and disadvantages of different databases

   • Advantages
     • An advantage of using a computer based database is that it can easily be backed up elsewhere.
     • An advantage of using a paper based database is that it can easily be accessed when you are inside the building that it is in or if you have a book that holds the information.
     • A computer based database is well organized so you can find the information that you are looking for.
     • Paper databases are cheaper than computer ones.
     • Paper databases are virus free and you don't need to have computer skills to use them.
   • Disadvantages
     • A disadvantage of using a paper based database is that if you lose your copies of all the different information it would be gone forever unless you've backed it up.
     • Another disadvantage of using a paper based database is that it would take ages to back up because it would all have to be written or typed up and printed. This means that it wastes lots of time.
     • A disadvantage of using a computer based database is that the equipment can easily be destroyed. However there are lots of things to prevent that from happening like physical security for example.
     • Computer databases are expensive.
     • Errors and viruses could occur and you could lose all of your information.
     • You need ICT skills to use a computer database.
     • Paper databases are limited by physical security and you can easily lose your information in a fire.
     • Paper databases are difficult when it comes to changing information.

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