Databases Continued 10/18/05

Outline SQL – Structured Query Language – the language of relational databases Dot notation – a fieldname may be used if unique across the query. If not, dot (.) notation is used to specify which table and which field. Example Student.name is the name field in the Student table.

Clauses SQL consists of a series of clauses, each of which performs a single function. Select – projection – which fields are displayed in the result set Where – selection – which rows are displayed in the result set From – specifies the tables and joins Order by – determines sort order

Example See movies db.

Access example Each database has its own “dialect” The dialect specifies the exact syntax of the statement. The application also specifies unique functions within the dbms. Access functions

Access is more than… a database management system. It includes the user interface. Other DBMS may include only the primary database tools; forms and reports are accomplished by other tools. Example, PeopleSoft uses an underlying Oracle DBMS…what we see is a user interface written in some other language.

Access incorporates user application tools within the database. Visual Basic code is available within the context of access. Controls in the forms, reports, etc, provide a mechanism for incorporating additional features through VB into our applications.

Demo of Form Controls

Demo of Data Access Page