In general, depending on the use case, the external data may be grouped as follows:
- streaming – bitstream embedded as the content of files, or network payload
- structural – data fetched from and pushed to external database management systems using queries
- graphical – data rendered on a Graphical User Interface
To manage lesson lengths and better align with the scope, each of the topics mentioned serves as the foundation for a separate study.
This course explores the principles and practices of Streaming Data as a contribution to Programming in Practice: External Data Management. Participants will gain a deep understanding of how information and data flow, with an emphasis on files, text, XML, serialization, integrity, confidentiality, and non-repudiation.
Programming in Practice means applying programming concepts to real, hands‑on problem‑solving by building, testing, and refining working software in real-world contexts.
Data management involves the organization, storage, retrieval, communication, and manipulation of data to ensure its accuracy, security, and accessibility. It encompasses processes like data collection, storage architecture, integration, and maintenance to support efficient computer-based analysis and decision-making. The relationship between data management and streaming data is rooted in how data is represented, transformed, and maintained in software systems.
Bitstreams are low-level sequences of binary bits used for encoding and transmitting binary content, such as audio or video. A bitstream is a sequence of bits that represents data at the lowest level. In such a sequence, the first and last bits are defined, and each intermediate bit is accessible in order.
As the name suggests, the data streams focus on selected concepts that underpin this data format. It is important to emphasize that these concepts are examined in the context of external data. The course covers the following issues:
- Bitstream Useful Concepts
- File and Stream Concepts
- Bitstream Format
- XML Bitstream Format
- Attributes
- Reflection
- Serialization
- Cybersecurity Fundamentals
- Cybersecurity: Integrity
- Cybersecurity: Confidentiality
- Cybersecurity: Non-repudiation
