Chapter 8

Database Applications

and Implications

The Electronic File Cabinet: Database Basics

Beyond the Basics: Database Management Systems

No Secrets: Computers and Privacy

A look at Microsoft Access

Topics

“The goal is information

at your fingertips.”

Bill Gates

Database software is…

application software (like word processing and spreadsheet software)

designed to maintain databases (collections of information)

A Database is…

a collection of information stored in an organized form on a computer

The Electronic File Cabinet: Database Basics

What Good Is a Database?

An electronic database allows you to:

store large quantities of information

retrieve information quickly

organize and reorganize information

print and distribute information in a variety of ways

Database Anatomy

A database is a collection of one or more database files

A file is a collection of related information (records)

A record is the information relating to one person, product, or event

A field is a discrete chunk of information in a record

Database Anatomy

Database Anatomy

The view is a display of the information in fields based on a particular layout of field data.

Form ViewList View

These operations are used to manipulate the information in the database:

Import: receives data in the form of text files

Browse: navigates through information

Query: finds records that match a specific criteria

Sort: rearranges records (alpha or numerically)

Report: printout of an ordered list of records

Database Operations

Beyond the Basics: Database Management Systems

Database Management Systems (DBMS)

is a program or system of programs that can manipulate data in a large collection of files

redundant information is stored as a key field

different users see different points of view

may be interactive

What Makes a Database Relational?

A database is relational when files are related to each other, such as this Student ID field in the Student file.

The Privacy Problem

More than 15,000 specialized marketing databases contain 2 billion names.

These databases contain characteristics like age, income, religion, and even sexual preference.

Rules of Thumb:Your Private Right

Your social security number is yours – don’t give it away

Say no to direct mail and phone solicitations, sharing of personal information, and pollsters

Know your electronic rights

Big Brother and Big Business

Government uses record matching to locate criminals ranging from tax evaders to mass murderers.

Credit bureaus collect information about us and allow us to borrow money where ever we go.

Big Brother and Big Business

With the increased amount of information available:

Data errors are common

Data can become nearly immortal

Data isn’t secure

A look at Microsoft Access

An Access database consists of 7 objects.

The object selected on the left side of the screen has corresponding elements on the right side of the screen.

Tables

The fundamental structure of the database.

The Datasheet view looks much like a spreadsheet.

Use for data entry (Datasheet View)

Use for Data design (Design View)

Other Objects

Queries: used for finding data or answering questions about the data base.

Forms: a direct link to a table. Provides a friendlier user interface for entering or editing data. Allows users to view one record at a time.

Reports: used to summarize the data for printing or for presentation purposes.

Other Objects (continued)

Pages: creates Web pages for viewing or editing the data online.

Macros: used to automate tasks.

Modules: programs in Visual Basic to customize the database