GlossaryGuide

Also called “data mart.” A database that serves individual systems and workgroups as the end point for shared data distribution. LADs are the “retail outlets” of data warehouse networks. They provide direct access to the data requested by specific systems or desktop query services. Data are propagated to LADs from data warehouses according to orders… Continue reading Local Access Database (LAD)

An older computer system or application program that an agency continues to use. Many legacy systems are unable to meet the changing business processes of organizations, thereby presenting a significant challenge for data integration.

An object-oriented computer programming language (see also object-oriented programming) based on C++ but without many of its rarely used features. Java was designed to support applications on networks with a variety of computer processing and operating system architectures, making the compiled Java applications executable anywhere on many processors on the network. Java is ideal for… Continue reading Java

Also called “federated database.” A collection of autonomous and possibly heterogeneous database systems over multiple sites that are connected through a communications network (see also distributed database).

An information systems framework that describes: (1) business rules—functions a business performs and the information it uses; (2) system structure—definitions and interrelationships between applications and the products, (3) technical specifications— the interfaces, parameters, and protocols used by the product and applications; and (4) product specifications— standards pertaining to the elements of the technical specifications and… Continue reading Information Systems Architecture

A computer program interface that takes advantage of a computer’s graphics capabilities to make a program easier to use. Well-designed GUIs can free the user from learning complex command languages, as well as make it easier to move data from one application to another. A true GUI includes standard formats for representing text and graphics.… Continue reading Graphical User Interface (GUI)

A computer-based tool used to gather, transform, manipulate, analyze, and produce information related to the surface of the earth. This data may exist as maps, three-dimensional models, tables, or lists. A GIS can be as complex as a whole system that uses dedicated databases and workstations hooked up to a network, or as simple as… Continue reading Geographic Information System (GIS)

The ability to incorporate new functionality in existing database systems without making major software changes or redefining the basic system architecture.

A computerized system or tool programmed to provide predefined reports or summary information to chief administrators or high-level executives. An EIS provides powerful information reporting and drill-down capabilities, including ad hoc querying and other analytical processing functions.

A design tool that graphically expresses the database’s overall logical structure by representing data entities, their cardinality relationships (e.g., one-to-one, one-to-many, etc.), and the linkages that connect them. The construction of an ER diagram is essential for the design of database tables, extracts, and metadata (see definition of metadata). ER diagrams are especially important in… Continue reading Entity Relationship (ER) Diagram