child element A lower-level segment, or group of fields, in a hierarchy
Conference on Data Systems Languages (CODASYL) A conference that led to the development of the network
database A collection of related information electronically stored and organized in a useful manner that acts as a base for retrieving information
data dependence The dependence of data on the application in which the data is stored; data dependence occurs when data files from different applications are incompatible and cannot be linked.
data definition language (DDL) One of four parts of a database management system (DBMS) used to define the structure of the database.
data redundancy The repetition of the same data in two or more data records.
data security Features included in database packages to protect data from individuals not authorized to use it.
data integrity The validity and consistency of the data in all applications.
database management system (DBMS) A program that organizes data in a database, providing information storage, organization, and retrieval capacities.
data manipulation language (DML) One of four parts of a database management system (DBMS); DML includes all commands that enable a user to manipulate and use the database.
form A user-friendly means of viewing the data stored in a record that makes the database easier to use.
field A space reserved for a specified piece of information in a database record; a column in a database
file management program A program that enables you to work with, organize, and control files, directories, and disks by displaying a disk's directory structure and listing files
flat file A file that does not permit the information stored within it to be reorganized or linked to data in other files.
hierarchical database A database that links data using a hierarchical relationship. The data element at the top of the hierarchy is known as the parent element, and there may be several child elements beneath the parent element. The structure that is created resembles a pyramid or an organizational chart
integrate To combine programs or systems for a special purpose
key field A unique field used to identify a record in a database
network database A database structure that organizes data in a parent-child relationship; all the relationships among the data items must be determined during the design phase. In a network structure, a child can have more than one parent or no parent at all
object-oriented programming (OOP) A programming technique that creates generic building blocks of a program (the objects). The user then assembles different sets of objects as needed to solve specific problems.
parent element A data segment that begins a hierarchy
record A complete unit of related data items stored in named data fields in a database
relational database One of four database structures in which files are linked in some way.
report generator One of four parts of a database management system (DBMS) that helps the user design and generate reports and graphs in hard copy form.
routines One of four parts of a database management system (DBMS) that helps the user design and generate reports and graphs in hard copy form.
segment A group of fields.
Structured Query Language (SQL) An IBM-developed query language widely used in mainframe and minicomputer systems.
schema The structure of a database