Databases

Databases

1. Fields (each field has a data type)

   • Numeric - data takes on numeric value and can be used in calculations
   • Text - data can be made up of letters and numbers
   • Data - data takes on a value which is formatted as data
   • Boolean - data can take only two values, normally yes and no

2. Tables are made up of records and each record is made up of a set of fields. Ina file/table a row usually represents a record and a set of field values are contained in a column

3. Records are units of data made up of a number of fields. There is the record per item in a database table.

4. Key Field (primary field) - a relational database allows the user to set a key field for each table.

5. Formatting fields- a way of controlling the way in which data is to be held in a database

   • An Input mask defines the format of the data being entered

6. Validation - ensures that data is present, in the correct range and in the correct order

7. Creating relationships

   • A relationship is a link between two tables. The links are made using a common fields ( a field that is contained in both tables.)

8. Creating a wizard - a wizard is software that helps the user to complete a task, step by step