More often than not, database environments in an organization reflect data structures that have been developed over a period of years, sometimes haphazardly, and that often reflect a variety of architectural styles and structures. Look at the existing database environment in your organization or school or in a local company.

a. What is the age of the oldest information system used in the organization?

b. What is the age of the newest?

c. Does the organization have both traditional file-based systems and modern relational database systems?

d. What are the different user systems, end-user tools, end-user applications? Any data warehouses? Any Web-based applications?