Wstęp do baz danych. Podstawy wiedzy dla studentów informacji naukowej i bibliotekoznawstwa

Abstract

The technological progress of the late 20th century made it possible to efficiently collect and process information and to render it available. The development of computerization and a global internet network has widely opened many information sources. Further, a technological revolution has taken place, which affected the form and storage of information as well as the ways of making it accessible. This is particularly visible in data bases which have undergone an evolution in each of the respects mentioned. Paper databases, files, hand written card indices and printed forms have given way to their electronic versions. Not only the form but also the ways of storing information have changed. The major breakthrough resulted from novel possibilities of technologically processing data into information, from using complex search tools and making them available on a scale unknown before. The article contains fundamental information with regard to databases useful for students of library and information science. It explains technical terminology, presents categorization of databases, their models and structures as well as handles the topic of the stages in the database building process, i.e. theoretical analysis, design work and search mechanisms.