Download Databases

Databases
Introduction
What is a Database?
• A DATABASE is a
collection of related data.
–Data is just another name
for information.
Databases are the Most Common Type of
Computer Program
• Used by
– Business
– Education
– Libraries
– Even Individuals
• You use databases almost every day, and
don’t even know it!
Examples
• Phonebook
– Even the one in your cell phone!
• Card Catalog
– Paper or electronic
• Your Student Records
• Address Book
• A list of your MP3’s
Databases
• In many ways a database is similar to a
spreadsheet.
• It can serve some of the same functions.
• For an end user a database can be easier to
use, but is harder to set up.
Updating Databases
• When you update data in a
database (table or form) it is
automatically updated
everywhere else.
• No need to do a “save”.
–This is common to all database
programs.
Database Table
• A TABLE is a collection of data in a
row/column format.
• Not all programs let you see and
edit in this format, but it is there.
• It looks a lot like a spreadsheet.
Related Tables
• A special type of database program is
called a “Relational Database.”
• To make tables related you must have
ONE common field that is unique to
each record.
• Usually ID numbers serve this
purpose.
– Example: Driver’s license number.
Related Tables
• In a relational database the ID field can
then be used to pull all of the related data
together.
– Example: A police officer checks to see if you
have any moving violations.
– Each ticket is a separate record. Your driver’s
license number is the ID field that is used to
pull all the records together.
– The records could be on the state computer or
local municipality’s computers.
Database Form
• A FORM is a window used to edit or add a
record in a table.
• Normally you can only use ONE record in a
form.
– The exception is if you have a relational
database.
• A record is a collection of information about one
person, item or transaction.
Database Report
• A REPORT is a print out of
specified fields in a table or
tables.
• A REPORT gets it’s data
from a Table or Tables.
Examples of a Report
•
•
•
•
•
•
Phone Bill
Cash register receipt
Driver’s License
TV Guide
Search Engine Results
Report Card
ENTERING/EDITING DATA
• Two methods:
–Use a form.
–Enter directly onto a TABLE.
• Tables look a lot like
spreadsheets.
–We will be learning to enter
into a form.
The First Step in Designing a
Database
• Break down your information into fields.
• For example:
– Names are usually broken into 2 fields
• First Name
• Last Name
– Addresses are broken into 4 or 5 fields
• Street address (Sometimes 2 fields, one line per
field)
• City
• State
• Zipcode
Step 1 Continued
• Identify each field by type.
– NUMBER fields are used in math operations.
• Grades, Dollar amounts etc.
– Most others are TEXT fields
• Zipcodes and phone numbers would be TEXT
fields because you don’t do math with them.
Step 2
• Design the FORM
– The software automatically does the table for
you!
– Most software allows you to design the form
anyway you like.
Step 3
• Start Entering Data!
– Reports (Printouts) are a separate process.
• Reports can be custom or already designed for a
particular purpose.
• A report card or cash register receipt are examples
of reports.
• Even ID cards such as driver’s licenses are reports.
Next Class
• We will start using Filemaker Pro.
• It is one of many database programs.
• It’s easy to set up a database with this
program.