Information Technology Reference
In-Depth Information
Figure 5.9
Microsoft OneNote
Microsoft OneNote lets you gather
any type of information and then
retrieve, copy, and paste the
information into other applications,
such as word processing and
spreadsheet programs.
Similar to OneNote, Evernote is a free database that can store notes and other pieces of
information. Considering the amount of information today's high-capacity hard disks can
store, the popularity of databases that can handle unstructured data will continue to grow.
Single User
A database installed on a personal computer is typically meant for a single user. Microsoft
Office Access and FileMaker Pro are designed to support single-user implementations. Mi-
crosoft InfoPath is another example of a database program that supports a single user. This
software is part of the Microsoft Office suite, and it helps people collect and organize infor-
mation from a variety of sources. InfoPath has built-in forms that can be used to enter expense
information, timesheet data, and a variety of other information.
Multiple Users
Small, midsize, and large businesses need multiuser DBMSs to share information throughout
the organization over a network. These more powerful, expensive systems allow dozens or
hundreds of people to access the same database system at the same time. Popular vendors for
multiuser database systems include Oracle, Microsoft, Sybase, and IBM. Many single-user
databases, such as Microsoft Access, can be implemented for multiuser support over a net-
work, though they often are limited in the amount of users they can support.
All DBMSs share some common functions, such as providing a user view, physically
storing and retrieving data in a database, allowing for database modification, manipulating
data, and generating reports. These DBMSs can handle the most complex data-processing
tasks, and because they are accessed over a network, one database can serve many locations
around the world. For example, Surya Roshni Ltd is a major manufacturer of lighting prod-
ucts based in New Delhi, India, with a global reach. One Oracle database stored on servers
in New Delhi provides corporate information to associates around the world.
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Providing a User View
Because the DBMS is responsible for access to a database, one of the first steps in installing
and using a large database involves telling the DBMS the logical and physical structure of
the data and relationships among the data in the database for each user. This description is
called a
schema
(as in schematic diagram). Large database systems, such as Oracle, typically
schema
A description of the entire database.
