CertiGuide to Network+  9  Glossary

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Database

A collection of information that is indexed. Typical database records are known as: distributed, flat file, hierarchical, inverted list, object-oriented, network and relational.

Any of the databases listed can be distributed. Distributed databases have contents stored in multiple areas.

All data is contained in a single file, and made of individual records with one or more fields.

All data is arranged as one or more trees. Each record has one parent, and may have many children. Relationships are created in exactly one way.

Similar to a Relational database, but tables are less abstract and simpler to modify. Indexes are a critical component of Inverted list databases.

While closely related to hierarchical in that both contain links between records, the distributed database can have no parents, or may have one or many parents. This term has no relationship to a computer network, rather a mathematical concept.

Data is organized into objects and may be defined in terms of other objects, classified as having inheritance. Microsoft Active Directory and Directory Services are examples of this database structure.

Data is arranged in tables (records) with rows (fields). Some fields may exist in multiple tables. Searches may involve multiple tables. The most common type of Relational Database offered is some offering of Structured Query Language (SQL).

Decibel. A unit of measurement for sound, optical and electrical signals.

Data Base Management System. An application that provides overall organization to a database.

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