Chapter 6 Databases and Information Management

1)
A grouping of characters into a word, a group of words, or a complete number is
called a record.

2)
Each characteristic or quality describing a particular entity is called an
attribute.

3)
Program-data dependencerefers to the coupling of data stored in files
and software programs that use this data such that changes in programs require
changes to the data.

4)
A bit represents the smallest unit of data a computer can handle.

5)
A group of bytes, called a bit, represents a single character, which can be a
letter, a number, or another symbol.

6)
A group of related fields, such as a student’s name, the course taken, date,
and grade, comprises a file.

7)
A group of records of the same type is called a file.

8)
A group of related files makes up a database.

9)
Each characteristic or quality describing a particular entity is called an
attribute.

10)
The use of a traditional approach to file processing encourages each functional
area in a corporation to develop specialized applications.

11)
Data redundancy is the presence of duplicate data in multiple data files so
that the same data are stored in more than one place or location.

12)
Data inconsistency is where the same attribute may have different values.

13)
Program-data independence refers to the coupling of data stored in files and
the specific programs required to update and maintain those files so that
changes in programs require changes to the data.

14)
A traditional file system can deliver routine scheduled reports after extensive
programming efforts; it can also deliver ad hoc reports or respond to
unanticipated information requirements in a timely fashion.