DataBAse 1
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yasser00ahmadDataBAse 1
Uploaded by
yasser00ahmadDesigning a
Cambridg database
table
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IGCSE Unit 8: System design
and databases
Computer
Science
4 Section 2
Objectives
• To discuss some of the many computer systems which
may hold data about you or your family on a database
• To learn how this data is held so that information can be
quickly retrieved
• To learn some database terms: record, field, table,
primary key, index
• To set up a simple table in Access and enter
some records
Designing a database table
Unit 8 System design and databases
Who holds data about you or
your family?
• From the day you are born, someone
holds data about you!
• What about when you start school?
• When you go to the doctor or the dentist?
• When you join a Sports Club or some other
organisation?
• Does your family own a TV, a car, or buy
things online?
What is database?
• A database is an organized collection of structured information, or
data, typically stored electronically in a computer system.
Types of Database
• Manual
Manual or paper-based databases are the simplest and most common
type of database. If you have used: An address book. Birthday book.
Diary. Yellow Pages. Telephone Directory. Then you have used a manual
database.
Another example is textbook
Electronic/computerized
• A computerized database is a collection of information that’s
organized and accessible through a computer. Computerized
databases have access to users’ information while allowing its users
to find and retrieve files in a much simpler manner than older,
manual databases.
• Examples: MS Excel, MS Access, Oracle, VB etc.
Where do we use databases?
• Schools (to keep track of students personal and academic information)
• Government departments (SEWA, Immigration etc.)
• Banks (to keep records of clients funds)
• Hospitals (to keep track of patients) etc.
Designing a database table
Unit 8 System design and databases
Database structure
• A database contains one or more tables
• A table has rows, each row containing one record
• Columns in the table each contain one field of each
record
Designing a database table
Unit 8 System design and databases
A Film database
• The screenshot shows a database about films
• This database has a single table with rows (records)
and columns (fields)
Designing a database table
Unit 8 System design and databases
MS Access database software
• MS Access is a Database Management System
(DBMS)
• The tblFilm table was created using MS Access
• This software allows you to create new tables, input
and validate data, query the database and produce
reports
• Using Access you can create a customised
application
Designing a database table
Unit 8 System design and databases
Structure of a database table
• Each field (or attribute) in the table has to be given a
name and a data type
Designing a database table
Unit 8 System design and databases
The primary key field
• One field in the database has to be designated as
the primary key
• Each record in the table must have a different value
in the primary key field
• It uniquely identifies the record
• Which field is the primary key field in the TblFilm table?
