What is a database? stores information data

Compare the Argos Catalogue with argos.co.uk What are the advantages and disadvantages of both?

Name: cormorant Animal type: bird Limbs: 4 Teeth: no Food: fish Length: 0.90m Colour: brown Fins: no A database is made up of record cards. field

Name: whale shark Animal type: fish Limbs: 0 Teeth: yes Food: plankton Length: 15m Colour: grey Fins: yes Each record card uses the same fields. Name: cormorant Animal type: bird Limbs: 4 Teeth: no Food: fish Length: 0.90m Colour: brown Fins: no

Name: whale shark Animal type: fish Limbs: 0 Teeth: yes Food: plankton Length: 15m Colour: grey Fins: yes Name: sea turtle Animal type: reptile Limbs: 4 Teeth: no Food: jellyfish Length: 2.4m Colour: black Fins: no Information can be recorded in different ways. numbers words fixed choice yes or no

A set of record cards is called a file. Name: whale shark Animal type: fish Limbs: 0 Teeth: yes Food: plankton Length: 15m Colour: grey Fins: yes Name: sea turtle Animal type: reptile Limbs: 4 Teeth: no Food: jellyfish Length: 2.4m Colour: black Fins: no Name: cormorant Animal type: bird Limbs: 4 Teeth: no Food: fish Length: 0.90m Colour: brown Fins: no Name: blue damsel fish Animal type: fish Limbs: 0 Teeth: yes Food: plankton Length: 0.35m Colour: blue Fins: yes

Writing a record card. Dolphins are aquatic mammals. The bottle-nose dolphin is 3 metres long. Dolphins are fast swimmers. This is because they have streamlined bodies. They use their strong jaws and sharp teeth to catch fish. Like whales, dolphins breathe through a tiny blowhole at the top of their smooth heads. Some types of dolphins live in large groups.

Now write a record card about a sea creature. Name: ____________ Animal type: ____________ Limbs: ______ Teeth: ______ Food: _______ Length: _____ Colour: _____ Fins: _______