INTRODUCING DATABASES What is a Database? And How Does it Work? SUSAN CRAWFORD NDAI

DEFINITION OF A DATABASE: A database is simply a collection of organised information relating to a particular topic for example a list of friends’ birthdays. The main reason to use a database is to keep track of information.

Examples of Databases you have already used in Everyday Life: Dictionary Telephone Directory Catalogue Encyclopaedia

Examples of Computerised Databases: A customer based company will hold customer accounts and personnel records on a database. Computerised database in a library. At the supermarket checkout: stock details are held on a database. At the Doctors: records of patients on a database. SUSAN CRAWFORD NDAI

How is a Database Structured? A database is a bit like a filing cabinet. It contains information under appropriate headings. It is divided into files. The files contain records. Records are made up of information or data.

Microsoft Access: Microsoft Access is a database software package. Allows you to input and store data in an organised record format on a computer. Much faster than using a paper database. Has a much greater storage capacity. Data can be searched, analysed, amended and manipulated quickly and efficiently.

Microsoft Access is set out like a table, comprising of columns with headings, known as field names. The field name relates to the contents of each column. Each row of data is known as a record. Each record relates to one entry in the database. A collection of records is know as a file.

Once a database has been created the user can run queries on the data. This means they can request and retrieve information that has been stored in a table.