1.2 Knowledge dIsCovery In databases 3
A DBMS software component is often available to allow queries to be
specified in a flexible manner, such as “forms” or Query By Example
(QBE).
The presentation of query results is another area that affects usability.
Analysis and interpretation of query results is needed if they are to be
meaningful. DBMS software products often provide “report” capabilities to
help users with the interpretation of query results. However, there is still one
potential issue, namely confirming their validity. If a query returns incorrect
results, it must be decided whether the query was wrongly formed or the
database contains invalid data. Although many commercially available software