Examples of Database Information Systems

Information Processes and Technology Get I.T In Order

Information Systems and Databases

Examples of database information systems Internet Movie Database http://www.imdb.com/

The Internet Movie Database (IMDb) is an online database of information related to films,television programs, actors, production crew personnel, video games and fictional characters featured in visual entertainment media. It is one of the most popular online entertainment destinations, with over 100 million unique users each month and a solid and rapidly growing mobile presence.[2] IMDb was launched on October 17, 1990, and in 1998 was acquired byAmazon.com. As of October 12, 2012, IMDb had 2,425,902 titles and 5,315,404 personalities in its database.[3] (Source: Wikipedia)

All of this information would be stored on a powerful computer or a network of computers that contain database software, and collectively is known as a Database Management System (DBMS).

The DBMS is browsed by the users through a web-interface that is easy to use and requires little training or instruction. End users are able to search the database and cross reference song titles, band members and styles. The ability to do this suggests that the database would be relational. Using this example as a stimulus, you are to complete the following:

Activites 1. Complete an information systems diagram which graphically depicts the information system’s: a. Environment e. Processes b. Purpose f. Information technology c. Participants g. Users d. Data/information 2. Complete a context diagram depicting the system. 3. Complete a data flow diagram depicting a search of the system. 4. Summarise the effectiveness of the system from an end-user’s perspective (1/2 page) 5. Complete a table comparing the on-line database with a paper-based version that would contain the same data. Analyse the advantages and disadvantages of each system.

Paper-based database On-line database s e g a t n a v d A s e g a t n a v d a s i D

Diagrams

Context Diagram

Data Flow Diagram

Data flow diagrams represent an information system as a number of processes that together form the single system. This single system can be represented more simply using a context diagram (see below).

Data flow diagrams therefore show a further level of detail not seen in the context diagram. Data flow diagrams identify the source of data, its flow between processes and its destination along with data generated by the system. The symbols used are:

Circles used to represent processes. Process Processes are actions taking place to transform inputs to outputs.

Curved lines represent data flows between processes, data stores and external entities. Data flows should be named to identify the piece of data.

Boxes used to represent external entities. These are any item, person or organisation External sitting outside the systems that provides data entity to the system or receives data from the system.

An open-ended rectangle is used to represent a data store. Data stores include electronic or Data store non computer-based stores of data. They should be named with a logical name.

The example below shows the processes involved in borrowing a video.

Overdue Info

Borrower Borrower ID

Valid Borrower ID Validate Borrower Check ID Overdues Borrower Loan Details Details Video Video ID

Loan Transactions Borrower Borrower ID Details

Retrieve Video Loan Transaction Details Loan Transaction Details Details Video Details

Perform Video Details Loan Video Details Transaction

Step 1. – List the External Entities, Processes, Data Flow and Data Stores

External Entities Processes Data Flow Data Stores