DATABASES

DEFINITIONS:What is a

database?

an organized collection of related information.

File:

A database file is made up of related records in a database.

Field: A category of information in a database.

Record:

A row of completed fields

Computerized Databases you may be familiar with include:• Destiny Library Catalog

• Amazon.com, E-Bay and other on-line shopping web sites

• Cell Phone Contact List

• MP3 Play List

• iTunes Store Music & Apps

Advantages of Computerized Databases

Can alphabetize and sort data fast

Can find a specific file quickly Can filter/search for specific types of

information

Can make many different types of

reports

Who uses computerized databases in the real world?

Stores use them to keep track of inventory

Travel agents can keep up with their

customers and reservations

Hospitals track patient information

Schools to keep track of student

information, attendance & grades

• method of sorting data in order from lowest to highest

Alphabetical (A-Z) or Numerical (0-9)

Database Features

Ascending order:

• the opposite of ascending order - highest to lowest

Reverse Alphabetical (Z-A) or Reverse Numerical (9-0)

Descending order:

The process of finding all records of a database that meet a criterion or mathematical statement.

QUERY (SEARCH/FILTER)

=plaid <$29.95

<>12

COLOUR

COST GRADE

less than (<)

greater than

(>)

equals (=)

MATHEMATICAL RELATIONSHIP S

The comparison of two pieces of information using logical operators:

Operators: Mathematical symbols

less than or equal to

(<=)

greater than or equal to

(>=)

Words such as and, or, not join certain conditions together when performing a query.

Multiple Criterion Filter:

A database operation that displays records that meet several criteria simultaneously.Connectors:

Example, Between 20 and 25 years of age >20and<25

Wildcard:

A character in a search that permits any character to be specified. In a database search, the asterisk (*) is the wildcard character to replace one or more letters

Like S* will locate all records that begin with the letter S

QUESTIONS???

Let’s work with a database together . . .

LOAD MSACCESS and open the file called Tool

Inventory from the shared drive –

Productivity Software Databases