- Describe a database, its uses and identify its
advantages
- Identify field size and data types (text, number,
formula)
- Identify examples of database programs
Use the Digital Library's Flat-file theory book and;
(You might like to check off each stage as you complete it)
 |
1 |
Find out what flatfile
database is, by:
- Reading the definition.
- Printing out the student record and completing
the exercise
- Reading (and discussing) the questions
|
|
2 |
Consider the advantages of
an electronic flat-file database
- Using the student data you have collected,
consider the advantages of converting this to an electronic
database.
|
|
3 |
Read through possible
database uses |
|
4 |
Read the topic on fields
to understand the importance of fields |
|
5 |
Data that is not accurate
is useless. How would you like to get a bill for a million dollars,
or be the help desk person trying to tell a customer why their
purchases were sent to the wrong place. |
|
6 |
Databases come in many
"flavours" from the basic (supplied as part of a suite of
programs like MS-Works) to the elaborate (like Oracle, costing many
thousands per user but driving large organisations). |
|
Note the theory in the original version of unit 2786 (prior to 1988) was
removed and the unit emphasis became practical. I have included it here as
it is still relevant as a background to
flat-file databases.
Unlike applications such as Word Processing and
Spreadsheets, Databases require initial planning before actually creating
them. As you database skill increases this planning will become more and
more involved, and increasingly important so that the final database satisfies
all the requirements.
|