Introduction to

Database Software

MEANING OF DATABASE

A database is the computer equivalent of an organized list of information. Typically, this information has a common subject or purpose, such as the list of employees, phonebook guide or a classmate address book.

Microsoft Access 2003 (Access 2003) is a database system management (database programs). It can store, manage, manipulate, analyze, retrieve, display or publish information from database.

Access window

title bar

Database window menu bar

Database window title bar

Objects bar

Groups bar

Database toolbar

Database window

Database window toolbar bar

4 IMPORTANT OBJECT BAR

Objects Bar Function

Table

A collection of records that identify a category of data, such as Customers, Orders, or Inventory. Data inside a table is arrange by column name field and row named Record.Field – A single characteristic or attribute of a person, place, object, event, or idea.Record – A set of related field values.

FormUse to enter new information, to edit or remove existing information or to locate information.

Query

Used to locate information, to view, change or analyze it in various ways. A select query retrieves data from one or more tables and displays the result in datasheet. A select query can be used to group record and calculate sums, counts, averages and other types of totals.

ReportTypically used to summarize, organize and analyze information in order to express a particular point of view to specific audience.

Table

Form

Query

Report

Examples of Database Software Microsoft Access 2003/2007 PHP MySQL Oracle

Examples of Database Application EMIS – Sistem Maklumat Guru SMM – Sistem Maklumat Murid SAP – Sistem Analisa Peperiksaan

10 TYPES OF DATATypes Data Function

TextYou may type in any alphabetical/numerical data that you desire-up to a maximum of 255 characters. As indicated, this is a text field, so you can't do mathematical calculations. Examples of Text data are: names, addresses, stock numbers, room numbers, zip codes, etc

Memo This field is for lots of text. You can have up to 32,000 characters.

Number

This field is for numbers where you want to add, subtract, multiply, divide, average, and do numerical calculations. This field can be a very large size, so when we get to Field Properties, we'll talk about "sizing" this field so it doesn't take up too much "space" in storage.

Date/Time Dates and Times. You may format this later, as you may desire.

CurrencyDollar ($). You may format this later, as you may desire. For example Ringgit Malaysia (RM)

10 TYPES OF DATATypes Data Function

AutoNumberThis field is an "automatic" counter that assigns a numbereach time you put data into a new field.

Yes/No This is a "True/False" or "Yes/No, 0/1” type of field.

OLE Object

This means "Object Link Embedding" which indicates you can insert a graphic, picture, sound, etc. Pretty neat to put a photograph in a personnel record or a picture of an inventory item in the stock record (advanced stuff).

Hyperlink

A hyperlink is a pointer from one object to another. The destination is frequently another Web page, but it can also be a picture, an e-mail address, a file (such as a multimedia file or Microsoft Office document), or a program. The hyperlink itself can be displayed as text or as a picture.

Lookup WizardThis wizard creates a lookup column, which displays a list of values you can choose from.

PRIMARY KEY means the value in the primary key fields is need to uniquely identify each record; that’s no record can have the same value in this field.

Icon Primary Key

PRIMARY KEY