We're now going to look at two opposite ends of the spectrum: database normalisation (which is about making data highly structured) and hypermedia systems (which is data that has very little structure). - Describe the overarching goal of database normalisation, and the specific objectives that achieve this goal.
- Identify the problems with this flat-file database and explain the steps by which it can be normalised.
- Discuss the following statement: "Searching through a hypermedia system is particularly challenging when compared to a flat-file or relational database, but it is also particularly rewarding."
- Compare and contrast the ways in which web directories and search engines 'solve' the hypermedia search problem.
- Identify current instances of web directories, and give examples of when a web directory would be more useful than a search engine.
- Outline the way in which Google's PageRank algorithm sorts web pages for relevance.
- Describe the ways in which metadata can (a) be helpful when used properly and (b) be abused by malicious parties.
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