information handling software

information handling software

1. Benefits of databases

   • Fast access to data
   • Easy to edit data
   • Can validate data
   • Can create reports
   • Can share database with users
   • Security (passwords)

2. Validation methods

   • Range check
     • Type check
       • Length check
         • Lookup list
           • Picture/format check
             • Presence check
               • Check if data has been entered
             • Data has a particular pattern the computer compares it to other accepted records
           • compare with a list of allowed answers
         • No. characters used is reasonable
       • Correct data type (text/number)
     • Data entered in a sensible range

3. Security issues

   • consequences
     • Loss of customers
       • Payments for goods not recieved
         • Bad publicity
           • Cash flow problems
             • Management cannot make decisions due to lack of information
   • Secure data:
     • Cannot be destroyed
     • Cannot be accidentally/purposefully changed
     • Cannot fall into the hands of unauthorised personel

4. How to keep data secure

   • Password systems
   • Back-ups
   • File attributes (read only files)