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Notes On Database

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8 views

Notes On Database

Uploaded by

Timz ..
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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INTRODUCTION TO DATABASE

A database is an organised collection of structure of data stored in a table(s). the table(s) contain several
records which are made up of different data items contained in various fields of uniform data. A field that
contains a unique data is called the keyfield which can be used to search for any record.
Fields
a
Name AdminNum DoB Gender Height(m)
Jide 00456 12/10/2010 Male 1.2
Sean 009875 01/12/2015 Female 1.1 Records
Data
Bola 008756 25/04/2016 Female .095
a

Database uses Table


Microsoft Office Access is a popular database package but there are alternatives such as OpenOffice
Base.

Databases are widely used. Schools, the NHS, supermarkets, Facebook, Google and YouTube all make
use of databases. Any company or organisation that stores large amounts of data almost certainly stores it
in a database.

The services and companies mentioned above use their databases to:
 send letters or emails to employees, clients or customers
 manage appointments
 track the products customers buy
 serve adverts based on what a user searches for
 suggest related videos, depending on videos a user has already watched
 know which friends two individuals have in common
Your school probably keeps track of the most popular dishes on the canteen menu so that it always has
enough to serve to students.
Databases vs. paper
Databases can store huge amounts of data without taking up any
space in the real world.
It is much quicker to query or search a database than it is to rifle
through hundreds or even thousands of paper records.

Advantages of using a database


 It’s easy to add to or amend existing records.
 Data can be sorted easily, eg date first registered.
 Other applications can import data, for example mail-merge templates make use of databases to send
personalised letters to customers.
 Multiple people can access a database at the same time.
 Security can be better than paper files, eg using a password to view or edit a file.

The difference between data, information and knowledge


It’s easy to get confused between the three. This is how they differ:
1. Data is a value with no obvious meaning, eg 9.
2. Information is data with meaning, eg the average man’s shoe size is 9.
3. Knowledge is making use of information, eg I’m opening a shoe shop, I should stock plenty of size 9 shoes
for men.
Data isn’t just numbers. Someone’s name, address and favourite colour are all examples of data.
INTRODUCTION TO DATABASE
Creating a table in MS Access
To create a table in Microsoft Office Access, use Design view. Start by writing a list of sensible field
names, e.g. ‘Crime’ would be a better field name than ‘Act of questionable judgement’ because ‘Crime’
is short and to the point.

Data types
Access will automatically choose a field’s data type based on the data entered. For example, if a phone
number is entered into a field its data type will be automatically set to 'Number'. Other data types
include:

 'text' – written words


 'date/time' – date or time
 'currency' – euro, pound, dollar, etc
 'autonumber' – number increases by one each time
 'yes/no' – only yes or no can be entered

Setting a primary key


The primary key is a field that contains data that is unique for each record. A car dealership may use a
car's registration or number plate as a primary field to set apart two cars of the same colour, make and
model.

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