Стороженко Мария, студентка магистратури
Тарнавская Т.В., к. пед.
наук, доцент, научный руководитель
Национальный университет биоресурсов и
природопользования Украины
Automated Information Systems and
Databases
Today,
it is impossible to imagine modern life without information technologies and
automated information data systems.
According
to Wikipedia, automated information system
(AIS) means “an assembly of computer
hardware, software, firmware, or any combination of these, configured to
accomplish specific information-handling operations, such as communication,
computation, dissemination, processing, and storage of information [1]”.
It is a
system by which information is processed through a series of automated
processes. It is called “automated” because it requires very little human
interaction other than setup and maintenance. The AIS is often used to access
information and send it out to individuals. It is widely used by libraries,
health organizations [2], governments, and private businesses.
The
possibility to disseminate information quickly through an automated information
system can save many hours of tedious labor, thus providing a cost savings for
those who need to get that information distributed.
The
main objectives of AIS are organization and management processes: collection,
storage, data processing and transmission to achieve the advanced information
system goals with the help of computer technology.
The
basis of modern AIS is a set of information technology and structured data
(databases). As to Wikipedia, database is a structured collection of data. The
data are typically organized to model relevant aspects of reality (for example,
the availability of rooms in hotels), in a way that supports processes
requiring this information (for example, finding a hotel with vacancies) [3].
In
computing, databases are classified according to their organizational approach.
The
most prevalent approach is the relational
database – a collection of data items organized as a set of formally
described tables from which data can be accessed easily.
A distributed database is one that can be
dispersed or replicated among different points in a network. It consists of two
or more data files located at different sites on a computer network. Because
the database is distributed, different users can access it without interfering
with one another. However, the DBMS must periodically synchronize the scattered
databases to make sure that they all have consistent data.
An object-oriented programming database is
one that is congruent with the data defined in object classes and subclasses.
Databases
underlie technology used by most people every day. Databases reside behind a
huge fraction of websites; they're a crucial component of telecommunications
systems, banking systems, video games, etc.
Professor
Jennifer Widom notes a number of properties that make database systems
exceptionally useful and convenient: reliability, efficiency, scalability,
concurrency control, data abstractions, and high-level query languages.
Databases are so ubiquitous and important that computer science graduates
frequently cite their database class as the one most useful to them in their
industry or graduate-school careers.
Software
application for education establishments to manage student data is called
student information system (SIS). Student information systems vary in size,
scope and capability.
As an
example, “Platonus” Automated Information System enables to automate credit
processes and distance learning systems. The system has a centralized database
where all the real events and processes of the higher educational institution
are represented. Each student and teacher is provided by personal study
(personal web-page) enabling to automate main tasks to the teaching staff of
Kokshe Academy. Students have the opportunity to find necessary information and
also students who study on distance department can get an access to cases and
knowledge control at once. They can communicate with teachers in real-time chat
through the Internet or internal network of Kokshe Academy.
Management
information systems are a common example of automated information systems. They
assist in gathering information.
References
1. Automated
information system. Retrieved from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Automated_information_system
2. Jerome M. Siegel,
Ph.D. is affiliated with Hahnemann Medical College and Hospital in
Philadelphia, Penna. Requests for reprints may be addressed to the author at
112 N. Broad Street, 5th Floor, Philadelphia, PA 19102.
3. Database. Retrieved
from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Database
4. Widom, J.
Introduction to Databases // Stanford University. Retrieved from https://www.coursera.org/course/db
5. “Platonus”
Automated Information System. Retrieved from http://www.nk.idhost.kz/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=2&Itemid=4&lang=en