CPSC 203Introduction to Computers

T43, T46 & T68

By Jie (Jeff) Gao

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Introduction to Database

• What is a database?– A database is a collection of information

related to a particular subject or purpose.

• Why should we use databases?– Keep consistent information altogether– Easy to manage and find useful information– Easy to manage related information

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An Example

Dept Course Year Semester Students

CPSC 203 05 Winter 571

CPSC 231 04 Fall 187

CPSC 331 05 Fall 94

MATH 249 05 Winter 76

MATH 353 05 Winter 25

PHYS 225 04 Winter 129

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Terminology (1)

Table

Dept Course Year Semester Students

CPSC 203 05 Winter 571

CPSC 231 04 Fall 187

CPSC 331 05 Fall 94

MATH 249 05 Winter 76

MATH 353 05 Winter 25

PHYS 225 04 Winter 129

Field

Record

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Terminology (2)

• DBMS– Database Management System

• Database Objects in Access– Table– Query– Form– Report– Pages……

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Plan for the Lab

• Today– Basic operation in Access: create table, alter

table, input data, append or insert data, sort records, forms, …

• Thursday– Advanced operation in Access: queries,

reports, …– Assignment requirements

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Creating A Table

• Design table structure– Add fields– Select data type for fields– Set input mask for fields

• Set primary key

• Give the table a name

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Alter A Table

• Change in design view– Everything could be changed

• If delete a field, the data in that field will be deleted

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Edit Data

• Input data in datasheet view

• Move your cursor to different records using the navigator at the bottom of the datasheet view

• Use Tab or Shift+Tab keys to move your cursor to the next or previous field

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A Little More Work

• Sort– By a field– Ascending or descending

• Data in a table is automatically saved; the layout of a table’s data view should be saved manually

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Forms in Access

• A form in Access is used to provide a friendly interface to the user– With labels and input boxes to input and/or

view data

• The user can input data into a table through a form created on that table

• The user can also navigate data by using the form

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Create a Form

• Two methods: Wizard or Design View

• Form Wizard is easy to use. You can create a form for a table with simple steps

• Design View can provide you more power. You can implement advanced features!

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Form Wizard

• Select– Which fields will appear in the form

You can select fields from multiple tables– Form type (layout)– Style– Name

• You can click “Finish” when you accept the defaults for the following steps.

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Form Design View

• You can– Add controls to the form– Drag fields into the form– Adjust the form layout– Add header or footer– Even do something like programming

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Assignment 3

• Start with a blank database

• Create a table

• Create a form on that table

• Input data

• Create reports– Create queries when necessary

• Refer to the information on my web site