Database Fundamentals Objective 5.01: Understand database tables used in business

What is a Database? A database is a tool used to organize, store, retrieve, and communicate (report on) groups of related information. Slide 2

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 Slide 3 Business stock inventory Barcode scanner keeps inventory in database Real estate listings MLS listings online Fingerprint database

More Examples of Databases Payroll data –Employee names –Employee Soc. Security numbers –Pay rates –Exemptions Hospital/patient data Internet search engines databases iTunes –Music Personal address book Student data (NCWISE), such as Student ID #’s Slide 4

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. Slide 5

What makes a Database? Slide 6 Databases 4 main Objects : Databases consist of 4 main Objects : 1. Tables - 1. Tables - store data in rows and columns 2. Queries - 2. Queries - retrieve and process data 3. Forms - 3. 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. 4. Reports - 4. Reports - summarize and print data

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. Slide 7

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. Slide 8

Tables Slide 9 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

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. Slide 10

Tables 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. Slide 11

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. Slide 12

Slide 13 Database Tables: The Big Picture entries 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. 2. ENTRIES (cells) 4. RECORDS (rows) 3. FIELDS (columns) 1.Table 3.Field 2.Entries Record 4. Record

What is the answer? Name Birth date Social Security No. Street City State Zip Phone Each item on the left is classified as a/an: a) Table b) Record c) Field d) Entry Slide 14

What is the answer? Susan Almond 10/22/ Bessemer St. Greensboro NC Each item on the left is classified as a/an: a) Table b) Record c) Field d) Entry Slide 15

What is the answer? Susan Almond 10/22/ Bessemer St. Greensboro NC All of the information about Susan Almond is classified as a/an: a) Table b) Record c) Field d) Entry Slide 16

What is the answer? Information about multiple employees is classified as a/an: a)Table b)Record c)Field d)Entry Slide 17

Susan’s Record NameBdaySSStreetCityStZipPhone Almond, Susan 10/22/ Bessemer St GreensboroNC Slide 18 One record is displayed from the Employee Table above. The table contains 8 fields.