Database

Database

1. Database

   • An organised collection of related data. You can edit, add, manage and retrieve data from a database. The structure of a database allows data to be found quickly and used quickly

2. Forms

   • Forms are used to make data entry more attractive and secure rather than entering data into raw tables

3. Key Field

   • A key fields uniquely identities each record. No two records have the same data in their key field

4. Validation

   • Data entered in to database must be sensible or we get GIGO

5. Reports

   • A report is a printed document that contains data from the database, organised and analysed in a certain way.

6. Calculated Fields

   • Not all data needed in a report may be present in a database.

7. Simple Query Search

   • Looks for data in one field

8. Complex Query Search

   • Looks at data with multiple criteria

9. Interger (Number)

   • A whole number but no fractions

10. Real (Number)

    • Any number including whole numbers and fractions

11. String (Text)

    • Letters, numbers or other characters such as punctuation marks

12. Boolean

    • One of two opposing states e.g yes/no, true/false

13. Record

    • Consists of a collection of related fields

14. Range Check

    • The data entered must be in a sensible range

15. Type

    • This ensures that the data is of the correct type

16. Format/Picture Check

    • If the data entered has a particular pattern e.g. a postcode or a car reg then an input mask can be used to force the data to conform

17. Length Check

    • The length of the input is checked for the number of characters used

18. Presence Check

    • Some data has to be entered

19. Lookup List

    • If data entered consists of a limited number of possible entries then the computer can compare the entry with a lists of allowed answers