What is a Data Warehouse?

A data warehouse is a large collection of data that can be used to help an organisation make key business decisions.

Here’s a more precise definition of the term,  as coined by Bill Inmon, (considered by many to be “the father of data warehousing”):

A data warehouse is a subject-oriented, integrated, nonvolatile, and time-variant collection of data in support of management’s decisions.

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What is Big Data?

The term big data refers to the massive amounts of data – both structured and unstructured – that inundate organisations on a day-to-day basis.

Typically, big data is so large, and accumulates so fast, that traditional data storage and processing applications are inadequate.

The big data industry helps organisations capture and analyse their big data, so that those organisations can make more informed business decisions.

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What is a DBMS?

DBMS stands for Database Management System.

A database management system is an application that enables the creation and administration of databases. Database management system is a broad term that includes any system that performs that function.

The most common type of DBMS is an RDBMS (Relational Database Management System). RDBMSs allow you to create relational databases – databases that have multiple tables that contain related data.

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What is the Input Mask Wizard in Microsoft Access?

The Input Mask Wizard is a feature of Microsoft Access that helps you create an input mask.

An input mask allows you to specify exactly how data should be entered into the database. It’s an expression that specifies certain rules about how the data should be formatted as it is entered into the system.

Here’s an example of an input mask:

(999) 000-0000

This specifies the format that a phone number must be entered. The number 9 indicates an optional character. The number 0 specifies a mandatory one. So in this example, the area code is optional.

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