1.      What is a database?

From google dictionaries a Database is described as “An organized body of related information”. Basically what this means is that a database is a way in which you can access a group of information under the same issue or topic (e.g. movies) easily and quickly in an organized fashion.

2.      What is the most important function of a database?

It seems that to have the power to be able to quickly find and bring together information which may be in a separate table placed in the form of a query, form or a report would be a very important function. To enable us to do this we need to use what is called a primary key. This allows us to designate a field or set of field that uniquely identifies each record stored in the table. In other words a primary key is used to separate groups of information in a quick and easy way.  

3.    What are the advantages of using a database?

To answer this question we need to resort back to the definition of a database. We can see that a database is a function used to allow a user to access information in a topic quickly and efficiently. If we think back to the way that information was stored in days when computers where see as foreign objects, we can see that it was not an extremely spacious and organized method as wee seen in databases today. In other words what I mean is that be for we had to have files in folders that held information under a number of headings that where held under letters muddled up in amongst heaps of other papers filled with information. Today an advantage of using a Database is that we save time in searching for our information, We saves space in storing our information, and we relieve our blood pressure by having little stress while searching for our desired information (we are also saving the planet one peace of paper at a time).

 4. The table below contains data about some books in a library.  What other data might be included in a library’s database about its books?

Another group of data that might be useful to a library database would be to add a column to identify where the book was in the library, such as a shelve number or a row letter. It could also include how many copies of the book the library currently holds. This would be an extremely convenient group of data because it would keep the library efficient and in check. Adding such information as the last date the book had been hired out and the date it was due to return to the library would be a smart group of data to add. This is because you would be able to keep a close eye on your stock, and also on your customers (basically keep your products in check). With data holding the number of copies, when it was released, when it is to return it seems just common knowledge to also add the customer that had hired out one of the copies to begin with. This data would be linked to another page that would display the customers contact information. With this you could then retrieve you book if needed (this would keep your library in check). 

5. What items of data would be relevant for a database in a supermarket?

You would need data information on items being sold in a super market. To allow the server and the customer to be given tot he best fastest serves possible it would be relevant to include the price of the items, the date the item was sent to the store, the items position in the store, its item number, its bar code would also be very useful. Other information that may be helpful for a supermarket would be to have the last transaction that included that item. If they had this sort of data then you could calculate the quantity of that item remained in the store

6. You would expect a video hire shop to have a computerized database.  What is the advantage of this from the owner’s viewpoint?  How would it benefit the customer?

For the owner time is money. The faster tou can serve one customer the faster tou can serve the next one.

This allows for the owner to consumer more money faster. To have a database on all the videos in the

store, and all related information, this would allow the customer to be served in the best possible way. If

the customer is satisfied with the the quickness of the service they would come back and purchase more.

7.How would you find out about available flights to Europe for the next school holidays?

I would logg onto the internet go to a Jet star, or Quontus website. Look up the flight details. Search for Europe, click a date, and see if there where any available flights. 

Lot of Questions 2

1. What are the main components of a database?

Tables containing fields, that hold data on a particular topic. Primary Key that allow you to link to database together, this enables you to search easer. 

Yet in basic terms the main components of a Data base is a Genre to run off, e.g. a Toy store.

Then you would have a 1st page storing all information field types about toys, or contact information that you could possibly think of. Then you would have column and rows full of information under these headings. 

2. What is the difference between a record and a field?

Record: Is to show permeant evidence on past events. In a database this would be used to see what has been accessed last. 

Field: This is where data is collected. In a database this is where the user would place input on the particular topic. 

In comparing the 2 we find that a record is information that was inputed in the past. As a field is where a user can input new information to benefit the database. 

3. What are primary keys?  What are they used for?

Primary keys are….a tool of sorts that allow a particular field (word) to represent the data being accessed. This tool allows all databases to be joined together. Primary Keys are used in Quires. This allows the database to mach up the set of “guid lines” to the information that is in the database.

Sorry if that was a bit confusing, i hope you get what i was trying to say though.

4. Draw up a table which could be used for data about students who borrow books from a library.  Identify and label a record, a field and the primary key.

(if i may just say VISTA SMELLS could it have made it harder to figure this out if it tried?)

5. Why would we not put the students’ data in the same file as the books?

Because the students name would also have other data connected to it such as grades.

6. If data is repeated unnecessarily in a table, it is called redundant.  Why do you think that databases should be designed to minimize data redundancy?

From what i understand from “redundant” it is trying to stop confusion basically. If you have 2 tables with the same name, then if you wrote a query with that name, it would not know which one to direct you to, and the computer may develop a headache..and so would you. This method also helps to minimize the space taken up in a database.

~Liam

Example: If i may i would like to personalize this particular topic. I would like to personalize this because i am an extream gamer (not a very good one) and have explored many diffrent types of vertual reality. The best VA (virtual reality) out there at the moment is suposedly a game called “world of warcraft” (WOW) this game is one of the best MMORPG (masive multiplayer online role playing game) out there at the moment because:

1) oh its graphics

2) Because of its interaction with other players.

3) Because it personalizes it with the user

4) And also is widly advertised on the internet and also on the televition. 

Because of the top reasons why it is so popular is because it fits the virtual reality description to the T. This game is so life like… (to some people). Now i said i wonted to personalize this a bit and this is because of different types of options on a VA game. 

WOW is a game for people that love graphics, and are not fussed on a story line. Because it has such good graphics it makes the user believe that the environment is truly real. 

Yet a game called runescape does not have the best graphics yet it makes the user believe that it is truly in the game by its story line, most players call it “extremely addictive”. 

Personally i am a story line type of guy and i love to play runescape because it sucks me into its environment. 

I have player WOW and i like it… alot also, simply because it sucks me into the environment with its graphics. 

Below you can find 2 links of some in game shots to compare on what i have just talked about VA, and what makes it Virtual:

WOW

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P1pxsYp4xPQ 

Runescape:

9/11 plane hitting tower simulation

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cddIgb1nGJ8

Forward Chaing:

It uses the inference rules to extract data, untill its goal is achieved. The forward chaining is used by an inference engine that searches interface rules to find a antecedent that is true. It the results in data.

Backward Chaining

Backward chaining is the complete opposite of forward chaining.  It all starts with some hypothesis’ that must be achieved, it does this by working backward from consequent to antecedent, this is done to see available data. Then it is crossed off the goal list.

http://www.algebra.com/cgi-bin/chat.mpl

Screen shot 1

the first talk

In the caption above, when i first started to talk it wasn’t half bad, it understood me and it had some edge.

the second talk

In this screen shot, it started to make no sense, it didn’t understand me fully so it just asked “what?” i found after this is would start again.

In this screen shot we find that it become distored and i find myself fighting with it because it is confused, i am confused… we are both confused because it keeps saying what?

In my opinion in the beginning it tricked me, but in the end it did not convince me at all, i give it a 5/10 and say that it does not pass the turing test

Tasks 1:  AI

[Homework due 12^th Sepetember 2008]

• Research AI and write a blog entry in response.  Use the title #1 AI  and make sure that you have answered the following questions:

•  
  1. What is AI? Is Artificial intelligence
  2. Is AI achievable? it would be achievable if you could make a complete copy of a human bean… yet it is said that if you can fool one human bean in believing it is talking to another human bean that machine is AI 
  3. How has AI been represented in film? (refer to at least TWO films) Star wars would have to have 1 sort of basic AI involved. Im not 100% sure but i think the gold robot was controlled by a remote, and i know the little other one was. Yet is this AI if a human is controlling the robot? i dont really think so, yet the fact that a robot is interacting with human in some way is reason enough to say it is AI. Another film would have to be one of those Sci-fi shows, yes i know you said film, but there is a good example of AI in star force galactica on the Sci-fi channel, i haven’t watched it much but i know there are some little robots that look like bugs that roll around all over the place doing jobs with humans. Like i said before, the fact that they are interacting with humans is reason to say that it is basic intelligence. 
  4. Which film do you think represents AI in the most plausible way? I would have to say star wars, simply because it is more involved. 

• Read at least TWO other students’ blogs and comment on their thoughts.