Database Notes
A database is a collection of information about common facts.
A database program is used to manage that information.
Dbase - Access- Paradox- ClarisWorks- Filemaker Pro
Examples of databases: F.P.L., Department stores, Employers, Video stores, Publix check cashing,
Anatomy of a database:
Fields are the categories such as name, age, bd, etc……
Each field can hold a specific type such as character, numeric, data, Boolean (logical), and calculated. This is called the Data TYPE
A record is the "chunk" of information about one person or thing.
The idea behind a database is that you can
keep many facts or fields about a subject. You can then sort the database by
any field you wish. You can then selectively print any of the information you
wish.
|
Name |
Age |
Favorite food |
I.Q. |
Hair color
|
|
Joe |
23 |
Pizza |
120 |
Brown
|
|
Sue |
76 |
Soup |
180 |
Red
|
|
Marge |
59 |
Hamburgers |
90 |
Blonde
|
|
Bob |
55 |
Hot dogs |
180 |
Brown
|
To begin your database, you need to name your fields and determine the type of data to go in each field. After you have entered all of the data, you could then sort and print your reports.
You could use a shared database to run a company. One that is shared is capable of letting many people use the same database at the same time.
S. Q. L. = Structured Query Language is an industry standard that most databases are now using.
Privacy: There is NO PRIVACY when your information is on a database!!!!!
The power of a database relies on the ability to do two things:
Perform a Query and Produce Reports based on those Queries.
Query (search) to find items matching certain conditions Ex. (All people over 40 and who live in Zip Code 33319)
A query is a search and/or sort of a database. A sample query would be:
To find all of the people who are over 30 years old who live in Miami and who own computers.
The users for this are to "target" your audience.
Produce Reports: This is a printout of only the information that is requested. (Ex: Report of names and ages) (Ex: Report of names and phone numbers). A report usually consists of a few of the fields contained in a database.
Weekly reports:
Monthly reports
A RELATIONAL DATABASE carries this a step beyond. It allows you to have many TABLES (databases) that are all linked by common FIELDS.
