Database Fundamentals
A database is a systematic tool used to organize, store, retrieve, and report related information. For businesses, databases facilitate efficient management of vast data sets, including employee details, customer interactions, and product inventories. Key components of databases include tables, queries, forms, and reports. Tables are vital as they store data in rows and columns, allowing for structured data organization. Understanding these fundamentals can help businesses optimize their data management strategy for improved efficiency and accessibility.
Database Fundamentals
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Presentation Transcript
DatabaseFundamentals Objective 5.01: Understand database tables used in business
What is a Database? A database is a tool used to organize, store, retrieve, and communicate (report on) groups of related information.
Examples of Databases • Business stock inventory • Barcode scanner keeps inventory in database • Real estate listings • MLS listings online • Fingerprint database • Telephone book • Online library card catalog • Media Center information • Encyclopedias • Dictionaries • eBay and other online businesses • Inventory • Keep track of customers, products, vendors, pay pal accounts
More Examples of Databases • Payroll data • Employee names • Employee SSN • Pay rates • Exemptions • Hospital/patient data • Internet search engines databases • iTunes • Music • Personal address book • Student data (PowerSchool), such as Student ID #’s
Why do businesses use databases? • A database is a tool used by businesses to manage the huge amount of data required to run the business. • For example, a business may use several databases to keep track of employee information, customers, products, and prices of products. • All of the information can be easily and efficiently managed and shared by database software.
What makes a Database? • Databasesconsist of 4 main Objects: • Tables - store data in rows and columns • Queries - retrieve and process data • Forms- control data entry and data views • A form is a customized manner of inputting data into a database or presenting data on a screen. • Reports - summarize and print data
Tables Tablesstore data, so they are the essential building blocks of all databases. Tablesare used to group and organize the information within a database. All databases contain at least one table. • Eachdatabaseusually consists of one or more tables.
Tables All databases should have a separate table for every major subject, such as employee records or customer orders. Tables organize data. Data should not be duplicated in multiple tables.
Tables • 1. A Table is an arrangement of columns and rows. • A Tableis the fundamental building block of all databases. • In a Database Table: • Rowscalled Records • Columnscalled Fields
Table Components: Entry, Field, Record 2. An Entry is a single piece of data in a database table. • Data is made up of characters. • Data is typed into a Field as an entry. • Example: • Beverages is an entry in the Category Name field.
Tables 3. A Fieldis a grouping or category of similar information contained in a table. • A Field is represented by a COLUMN. • It is comprised of entries. • A Field is a unique identifier for a category of information. • It is one item or bit of information in a record.
Tables 4. A Recordis a complete description of all of the fields related to one item in a table. • A Record – A group of relatedfields of information. • Everything on one row is a record. • A Record is a single piece of data in a databasetable.
Database Tables:The Big Picture • Table • Entries • Field 4. Record 3. FIELDS (columns) 4. RECORDS (rows) 2. ENTRIES(cells) To calculate the number of entries in a database--multiply the number of fields by the number of records. Ex. 5 fields (columns) * 26 rows (records) = 130 entries in this database.
What is the answer? • Name • Birth date • Social Security No. • Street • City • State • Zip • Phone Each item on the left is classified as a/an: • Table • Record • Field • Entry
What is the answer? • Susan Almond • 10/22/1985 • 245-88-9845 • 31 Bessemer St. • Greensboro • NC • 25233 • 336-585-5646 Each item on the left is classified as a/an: • Table • Record • Field • Entry
What is the answer? • Susan Almond • 10/22/1985 • 245-88-9845 • 31 Bessemer St. • Greensboro • NC • 25233 • 336-585-5646 All of the information about Susan Almond is classified as a/an: • Table • Record • Field • Entry
What is the answer? • Information about multiple employees is classified as a/an: • Table • Record • Field • Entry
Susan’s Record One record is displayed from the Employee Table above. The table contains 8 fields.