java - chapter 14

Database

A collection of related data that is stored in a manner enabling information to be retrieved as needed; in a relational database, a collection of related tables.

Record

A collection of related fields in a database. Also called a row.

Centralized database system

A database system in which all of the data used by the system is located on a single computer.

Distributed database system

A database system in which the data used by the system is located on multiple computers that are connected via a network.

Structured query language, SQL

A popular query language standard for information retrieval in relational databases.

Query

A request to see information from a database that matches specific criteria.

Field

A single category of data to be stored in a database, such as customer names or employee telephone numbers. Also called a column.

Primary key

A specific field in a database table that uniquely identifies the records in that table.

Metadata

Data about data, such as the data contained in a data dictionary.

Middleware

Software used to connect two otherwise separate applications, such as a Web server and a database management system.

Normalization

The process of evaluating and correcting the structure of a database table to minimize data redundancy.

Form

formatted way of viewing and editing a table in a database.

Table

in a relational database, a collection of related records or rows.