Database Fundamentals Objective 5.01: Understand database tables used in business Obj. 5.01: 1-Database-Fundamentals-Ppt. revised for 09-10

organize, store, retrieve, and communicate (report on) What is a Database? A database is a tool used to organize, store, retrieve, and communicate (report on) groups of related information. Databases help you manage practically endless types of information: sales and inventory numbers, student records, or a home collection of DVDs, CDs, and videotapes, just to name a few. Obj. 5.01: 1-Database-Fundamentals-Ppt. revised for 09-10

Examples of Databases Telephone book Online library card catalog Media Center information Encyclopedias Dictionaries eBay and other online businesses Inventory Keep track of customers, products, vendors, pay pal accounts Business stock inventory Barcode scanner keeps inventory in database Real estate listings MLS listings online Fingerprint database Obj. 5.01: 1-Database-Fundamentals-Ppt. revised for 09-10

More Examples of Databases Hospital/patient data Internet search engines databases iTunes Music Personal address book Student data (NCWISE), such as Student ID #’s Payroll data Employee names Employee Soc. Security numbers Pay rates Exemptions Obj. 5.01: 1-Database-Fundamentals-Ppt. revised for 09-10

Why do businesses use databases? A database is a tool used by businesses to manage the huge amount of data required to run the business. For example, a business may use several databases to keep track of employee information, customers, products, and prices of products. All of the information can be easily and efficiently managed and shared by database software. Obj. 5.01: 1-Database-Fundamentals-Ppt. revised for 09-10

What makes a Database? Databases consist of 4 main Objects: Tables - store data in rows and columns Queries - retrieve and process data Forms - control data entry and data views A form is a customized manner of inputting data into a database or presenting data on a screen. Reports - summarize and print data Tables All databases contain one or more tables. Queries Queries can combine data from different tables, update your data, and perform calculations on your data. Obj. 5.01: 1-Database-Fundamentals-Ppt. revised for 09-10

Tables Tables store data, so they are the essential building blocks of all databases. Tables--are used to group and organize the information within a database. All databases contain at least one table. Each database usually consists of one or more tables.

Tables All databases should have a separate table for every major subject, such as employee records or customer orders. Tables organize data. Data should not be duplicated in multiple tables.

Tables 1. A Table is an arrangement of columns and rows. A Table is the fundamental building block of all databases. In a Database Table: Rows called Records Columns called Fields Obj. 5.01: 1-Database-Fundamentals-Ppt. revised for 09-10

Table Components: Entry, Field, Record 2. An Entry is a single piece of data in a database table. Data is made up of characters. Data is typed into a Field as an entry. Example: Beverages is an entry in the Category Name field. Obj. 5.01: 1-Database-Fundamentals-Ppt. revised for 09-10

Tables A Field is a unique identifier 3. A Field is a grouping or category of similar information contained in a table. A Field is represented by a COLUMN. It is comprised of entries. A Field is a unique identifier for a category of information. It is one item or bit of information in a record. Obj. 5.01: 1-Database-Fundamentals-Ppt. revised for 09-10

Tables 4. A Record is a complete description of all of the fields related to one item in a table. A Record – A group of related fields of information. Everything on one row is a record. A Record is a single piece of data in a database table. Obj. 5.01: 1-Database-Fundamentals-Ppt. revised for 09-10

Database Tables: The Big Picture Entries Field 4. Record 3. FIELDS (columns) 4. RECORDS (rows) Distribute B5.01-03 “Parts of a Database” Activity and B5.01-04 “Parts of a Database Activity Two” Activity for students to work on. 2. ENTRIES (cells) To calculate the number of entries in a database--multiply the number of fields by the number of records. Ex. 5 fields(columns)*26 rows (records) = 130 entries in this database. Obj. 5.01: 1-Database-Fundamentals-Ppt. revised for 09-10