database terms mr. brunton. database what is a database? a collection of information organized in...
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DATABASE TERMS
Mr. Brunton
Database
What is a database? A collection of information organized in such a
way that a computer program can quickly select desired pieces of data. You can think of a database as an electronic filing system.
Why do we use databases? Databases are used to store, organize, and
retrieve large amounts of data, quickly. Therefore, databases can be used in any situation where data needs to be found quickly.
Microsoft Access is a database editing software
Database examples
Phone book Student records Employee records Driver’s License
information, Health (Card) information)
Bank account information
ITunes / Music database Online stores (ie: Sears,
E-Bay, Trader.ca, etc.) Sports / News (ie:
NHL.com, TSN.ca)
Table
a set of related data arranged in rows and columns
Field
Relates to a column in a database table
Contains all the information about one type of data (like names, address, etc.)
Field properties
Properties, such as length, datatype, etc. that the database designer can set in order to control data
Datatypes
Text, Memo, Number, Date/Time, Currency, AutoNumber, Yes/No, Lookup wizard
Text
Datatype used to store any characters.
Limited to 256 characters
Ex: name, address
Memo
Like the text datatype, memo is used to store any characters ….
However it is unlimited in size.
Ex: customer comments, comments on report cards
Number
Datatype used to store values of numerical value
Short integers, long integers, etc. have different value maximums … check field properties for more details
Ex: age, population
Date / time
Datatype used to store dates and times
Can be shown in many different ways (full date, short date, times, etc.)
Ex: date of birth
Currency
Numerical datatype used to store money values
Ex: amount owing
Autonumber
Numerical value that is automatically created by Access
Often used a unique identifier (primary key)
Ex: student number, credit card number
Yes / no
Datatype used to store a yes or no value
Ex: paid in full?
Lookup
A property under most datatypes that allows you create a list of values for a user to choose from
Ex: salutation
Primary key
Datatype property that requires each record in a table to be unique
Used to ensure that no two records are the same
Ex: social insurance number
Record
Relates to a row in a database table
Contains all of the data related to one person or item
Ex: name, address, marks, etc about one student
Form
Part of a database that allows a user to enter and edit data in a graphical interface
Query
Asking the database question to find a certain set of data
Ex: finding all students who are failing
Sort
Ordering data in alphanumerical order
Report
Creating a printable report of a database table or query
Datasheet view
View for entering and editing data
Design view
View that allows the database designer to edit field properties, query properties, etc.