Download You have already learned three of most important terms in data

DATABASE TERMINOLOGY
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Access 2003 Handout #3
You have already learned three of most important terms in data bases: tables; fields and
records. The following are some additional terms with which you should be come
acquainted.
TERM
Field Value
DESCRIPTION
The content or specific value of a field. For example, in a table such as
this one, the field value for this record is "Field Value".
Database
A database is a collection of related tables. This is also called a
relational database.
Common Field
The field in one or more tables that unites two different tables. The way
to connect tables to form a relational database.
Primary Key
The field, or a collection of fields in some cases, that uniquely identifies a
specific record within a table. This is often an identifying number or
alphanumeric ID.
Foreign Key
A primary key from one table included in another table. If you have a list
of customers as one table and a list of orders from customers as another
table, often the customer ID from the first table is a foreign key in the
order table. Each foreign key value must match the field value in the
table in which it is a primary key.
RDBMS
Relational database management system. A software program with
which you can create and manage a database. It has the following
features:
1. Lets you create a database with tables that contain fields and
records.
2. Allows you to establish relationships between tables.
3. Lets you add, delete, and change field values and records within
each table.
4. Contains a built-in language called a query language that lets you
get answers to questions about your data.
5. Also contains a report generator so you can create reports about
your data.
6. Has built-in protection for your database.
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