| Databases Essay, Research Paper
The Many Faces of Databases
Large databases can contain hundreds of interrelated files. Fortunately a database management system can shield
users from the complex inner workings of the system, providing them with only the information and commands
they need to get their jobs done. In fact, a well-designed database puts on different faces for different classes of
users.
Downsizing and Decentralizing
The earliest file management programs could only do batch processing, which required users to accumulate
transactions and feed them into computers in large batches. These batch systems weren’t able to provide the kind
of immediate feedback we expect today.
Today disk drives, inexpensive memory, and sophisticated software have allowed interactive processing to
replace batch processing for most applications. Users can now interact with data through terminals, viewing and
changing values in real time. Batch processing is still used for printing periodic bills, invoices, and reports and for
making backup copies of data files. But for applications that demand immediacy, such as airline reservations,
banking transactions, and the like, interactive, multiuser database systems have taken over.
Until recently most databases were housed in mainframe computers. But for a growing number of organizations,
the traditional centralized database on a mainframe system is no longer the norm.
Some companies use a client/server approach: Database software in client desktop computers works with files
stored in central server databases on mainframes, minicomputers, or desktop computers.
Other companies use distributed databases that use data strewn out across networks on several different
computers.
From the user’s point of view, the differences between these approaches may not be apparent.
Tomorrow’s Databases?
Many computer scientists believe that the relational data model may be supplanted in the next decade by an
object-oriented data model, and that most future databases will be object-oriented databases rather than
relational databases. Instead of storing records in tables and hierarchies, object-oriented databases store software
objects that contain procedures (or instructions) along with data. Object-oriented databases often are used in
conjunction with object-oriented programming languages.
Tomorrow’s databases will be able to respond intelligently to commands and queries issued in natural human
language.
Rules of Thumb: Dealing with Databases
A few common-sense rules when working with file managers or relational database management systems are:
o Choose the right tool for the job.
o Think about how you’ll get the information out before you put it in.
o Start with a plan, and be prepared to change it.
o Make your data consistent.
o Databases are only as good as their data.
o Query with care.
o If at first you don’t succeed, try another approach.
NO SECRETS: COMPUTERS AND PRIVACY
The Privacy Problem
Businesses and government agencies spend billions of dollars every year to collect and exchange information about
you and me. For most of us this data is out of sight and out of mind. But every day lives are changed because of
these databases.
Big Brother and Big Business
With modern networked computers it’s easy to compile profiles by combining information from different database
files. When files share a unique field, record matching is trivial and quick. Sometimes the results are clearly
beneficial. But these benefits come with at least three problems:
o Data errors are common.
o Data can become nearly immortal.
o Data isn’t secure.
Protection against invasion of privacy is not explicitly guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution. Legal scholars agree
that the right to privacy-freedom from interference into the private sphere of a person’s affairs-is implied by
other constitutional guarantees, although debates rage about exactly what this means.
Federal and state laws provide various forms of privacy protection, but most of those laws were written years ago.
When it comes to privacy violation, technology is far ahead of the law.
Rules of Thumb: Your Private Rights
Here are a few tips for protecting your right to privacy:
o Your Social Security number is yours; don’t give it away.
o Don’t give away information about yourself.
o Say no to direct mail and phone solicitations.
o To maximize your privacy, minimize your profile.
o If you think there’s incorrect or damaging information about you in a file, find out.
o Support organizations that fight for privacy rights.
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