Transcript Database Management System

Database Management
System
Review
ICS 100
What is a Database?
• Collection of data associated with a topic
– Smallest unit of information is a field
– Group of related fields is a record
• An organized collection of related
information
Flat vs. Relational
• Small number of records: Flat DB
Excel spreadsheet
• Large number of records: Relational
Like the Web
Contains more than one table
Banner
Student names, addresses, phone number
Courses
Fees Owed
Transcripts
DBMS
• Database
Management System
– Provides tools to
enter, edit and retrieve
data
• Users
– Policemen, librarians,
students, retail
establishments
Commonly Used Software
• Microsoft Access*
• Paradox
• Lotus Approach
• Alpha 5
• FileMaker Pro
*Access is not available for Macs
Structured Query Language
SQL
http://databases.about.com/od/sql/a/sqlfundamentals.htm
Basic Features
• Locate information
• Display information
– Sort information
• Watch demo
Stop
How is it Organized?
• Tables are the
foundation of a DB
• A primary key* is
selected
• What is a primary
key?
*needed to link two or more
tables
Examples of Primary Keys
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SSN
Badge Numbers
Student ID Number
Vehicle ID Number
Employee Number
Fields
Table
Last Name
First Name
Job Title
SSN
Brown
Alice
Accountant
123-33-1234
Akiona
John
334-65-9876
Joaquin
Pablo
Sales
Manager
Receptionist
Thomas
Sandy
Marketing
Manager
234-43-4321
789-76-0987
Records
Fields and Records
• Fields are like columns in a spreadsheet
• Records are like rows in a spreadsheet
Two Common Views
• Data Sheet View
– Looks like a table
• Design View
– Shows fields in a
vertical arrangement
– Allows formatting of
fields
Data Types
• Numbers – only
numbers
• Text = everything
(0 to 255 characters)
• AutoNumber =
Access will number
each record
• Yes/No
• Currency
• Date/Time
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Hyperlink
Memo = more text
(0 to 6536 characters)
OLE
Data Properties
• Format each data type
• Example
– Size of a field
– Masks for a field
Objects
• Allow you to use the
database
• Types of objects
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Table
Queries
Forms
Reports
Modules
Macros
Pages
Integrity—most important
• Keep data accurate
• Keep data up to date
• Eliminate redundancy
Ways to Eliminate Redundancy
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Input Mask
Use of a form
Use of a primary key
Other?
Input Mask
• Analogy to painting
• Masking tape “masks” the areas you don’t
want to paint
• Guides the user in entering data
eg. 234-45-4560
Data is Stored on Tables
Printed
Information
Reports
Forms
Data
Queries
Tables
Opening a Database
• Use the Explorer or My Computer to copy
the database
• You cannot use the Save as command
Closing
• Databases may require a lot of memory.
• If you plan to move a database, invest in a
flash drive.