Lecture 1
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Transcript of Lecture 1
IT 118Database Software
Application
Alice B. ValienteInstructor-1
What is Database?
A database is a collection of data that is stored in a computer system. Databases allow their users to enter, access, and analyze their data quickly and easily.
Example: Database of patient information at a doctor’s office.
Why use a database?
If a database is essentially a collection of lists stored in tables and you can build tables in Excel, why do you need a real database in the first place? While Excel is great at storing and organizing numbers, Access is far stronger at handling non-numerical data, like names and descriptions. Non-numerical data plays a significant role in almost any database, and it's important to be able to sort and analyze it.
Relational Database
A relational database is a collection of data items organized as a set of formally-described tables from which data can be accessed or reassembled in many different ways without having to reorganize the database tables.
Example
Database Component
Tables: tables are where the actual data is defined and entered. Tables consist of records (rows) and fields (columns)Queries: queries are basically questions about the data in a database. A query consists of specifications indicating which fields, records, and summaries you want to see from a database. Queries allow you to extract data based on the criteria you define.
Database Component cont..
Forms: forms are designed to ease the data entry process. For example, you can create a data entry form that looks exactly like a paper form . People generally prefer to enter data into a well-designed form, rather than a table.Reports: when you want to print records from your database, design a report. Access even has a wizard to help produce mailing labels.
Tables• You might already know that tables are organized into vertical columns and horizontal rows.
Tables•A field is more than just a column; it’s a way of organizing information by the type of data it is.
Forms•Forms are used for entering, modifying, and viewing records.
Queries•Queries are a way of searching for and compiling data from one or more tables.
Reports•Reports offer you the ability to present your data in print.
Putting it all together
What types of things can do with Microsoft access?
Personal applicationsSmall-business applicationsDepartmental applicationsCorporation-wide applicationsFront-end applications for enterprise wide client/server databasesWeb applicationsAccess as a development platform for personal applications