1. Databases and Access

2. a collection of related information
What is a database?
A database is
a collection of related information

3. Data is stored in... Tables Records Fields tblTutors Name Room Phone
Jenny
B34D
6717
Gordon
B34D
6851
Ian
6854
Janet
B34A
6708
Field – smallest complete unit
Record – collection of fields with data in them
Table – collection of records defined with the same structure

4. Tables are related… Name Room Phone Jenny B34D 6717 Gordon 6851 Ian
6854
Janet
B34A
6708
tblTutors
Module
Tutor
Room
D1-G
Jenny
131
D1-A
128
AP-B
Ian
B43
IN-K
Janet
tblModules ID 1 2 3 4 1 3 4
Primary key –
unique identifier
Foreign key –
provides link

5. A database consists of…
Tables – Storage
Forms – Input
Queries/Reports – Output
Macros/Modules - Automation

6. Naming Convention [prefix][tag][BaseName][Suffix] tblSuppliers
frmSuppliersAndProducts
sfrmProducts
tblCountryLookup

7. A Relational Database Management System (RDBMS)
Access is…
A Relational Database Management System
(RDBMS)

8. Review An Access database is a single file
.mdb extension
All objects (tables, forms etc.) are stored inside it
You can view tables in two ways
Design View
Define fields, data types and properties
Table View
Browse, enter and edit data
The primary key for each table is a unique identifier for each record