What
Is a Database: Database Management Systems
(DBMSs)
To
Repeat
A database is any collection of
information that is:
Stored electronically in an
ordered manner on some sort of medium such as a hard disk,
floppy disk, CD-OM, or data tape.
Indexed, which means
that
Every component of that
information is identified as to:
Type of information
(such as title, body text, image, author, publisher,
pages, etc.)
Location in the original
document, specifically in relation to all other
information.
Location on the host
medium.
All of the examples of the
same type of information (such as individual words, titles,
body text, authors, etc.) are placed in a specific list or
index for that type of information.
The information can be more
easily located provided there is software that gives a
searcher tools and techniques for finding the information.
The software that does all of
this consists of a:
Database Management System
(DBMS)
Front-end search or query
software, which may be included in the DBMS.
Database
Management Systems (DBMSs)
Locating desired records in a
database requires:
A database management system
(DBMS) for organizing and indexing
records in a manner that facilitates locating and retrieving
the information.
Software for searching and
retrieving information from the database
This may be called "Query," "Front-End," or "Search and
Retrieval" software.
DBMS software is the foundation
of every
Library automation system
(LAS)
Commercial
database
Internet search engine (such
as AltaVista, Excite)
Internet index (such as Yahoo,
Librarian's Index to the Internet)
-
optimized for Netscape & 800x600
display