Introduction to Databases Laurie Shteir and Ezequiel Moctezuma
MS Access Uses extension .mdb (multi-relational databse) Is a powerful database management system (DBMS) that functions in the windows environment and allows you to create and process data in a database Key features are: Data entry and update Queries (questions) Forms Reports Web support
What is a Database Collection of all the data related to a particular topic or purpose -- for example, student data, customer data or product data
Structure of a Database File or Table Records Garner Julia 30 Simpson Ave 555-3432 Garrett Allen 1222 Elm Street 555-9876 Gieger Carl 25 West Ave 555-2702 Geiser Gary 712 Chestnut 555-1112 Goucher Gerard 17 Asbury Ave 555-2956 Fields
Definitions Data field is a group of related characters Garner Julia 30 Simpson Ave 555-3432 Data Record is a group of related data fields Garner Julia 30 Simpson Ave 555-3432
Definitions A Database is a collection of one or more related data files or tables Garner Julia 30 Simpson Ave 555-3432 Garrett Allen 1222 Elm Street 555-9876 Gieger Carl 25 West Ave 555-2702 Geiser Gary 712 Chestnut 555-1112 Goucher Gerard 17 Asbury Ave 555-2956
What can I do with Database Software? Enter data quickly and easily Organize records in different ways Locate specific records quickly Eliminate data Connect files with related information Create Reports Create Queries
Data Management Software File Managers Manage data from one file (Flat File) Data Base Management Systems Manage data from related files; these files are connected in some way
Database Organization Hierarchical, Network, Relational and Object-Oriented Relational -- Collection of related tables that share information. Most common type of database organization Access is a relational database that can be used as a file manager or a full-blown database management system
Relational Database Collection of related tables that can share information. Most flexible
Other terms to know Table- Query- Field properties- Filter- Relational database- Report- Datasheet window- Primary key- Field- Filed types- Sort- Criteria cell-