Download Data Handling - Lagan College

Data Handling
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This lesson will cover:
The importance of storing and processing data
for modern organizations.
The benefits of electronic databases over
paper-based databases and spreadsheets .
Different types of databases and the
advantages they bring to organizations.
Icons key:
For more detailed instructions, see the Getting Started presentation
Flash activity. These activities are not editable.
Teacher’s notes included in the Notes Page
Student task accompanies this slide
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Web addresses
Functional Skills check
Printable activity
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Why do we store data?
Storing and using data is an essential part of running a
modern business or organization.
Why do organizations need to keep records?
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Commercial organizations
Commercial organizations store
and manipulate data for sales,
ordering, finance and producing
models and forecasts.
Spreadsheets can be used but
they have some limitations:
can be difficult to generate very complex search queries
complicated to allow multiple users access to the same data
don’t allow for sophisticated validation criteria to prevent
erroneous entries
more likely to produce duplicate or redundant records.
Databases are very good for working with lots of data.
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What are databases?
A database is any organized collection of related data and
information. For example, your personal address book or
telephone book is a database.
A database is made up of tables,
which contain records sorted
into fields.
Organizations that use
databases are constantly
retrieving and storing records
about their staff, their customers
and their finances.
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Electronic vs. paper databases
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Databases vs. spreadsheets
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Using databases
Organizations that use databases include:
Schools
Police
Businesses
Hospitals
Libraries
What databases might have your name in their records?
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Using databases
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Internet sales
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Flat file database
A flat file database is a database which has only one
table, which is not linked to any other table.
It is a relatively simple database.
An address book is an example
of a flat file database.
Spreadsheet software can be
used to create flat file databases.
In contrast, relational databases use multiple tables to store
information. They can then relate records on one table
to records on another table, to produce a third table which
displays this new data.
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Relational databases
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True or false?
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