Download Database terms

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, EBay, 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.