1. Chapter 12 Accessing Databases

2. Practical PC 6th Edition Chapter 12
Getting Started
FAQs:
What’s a database?
Do I need database software?
How would I create my own database?
Can I really create databases with spreadsheet software?
What about databases on the Web?
Practical PC 6th Edition Chapter 12

3. Practical PC 6th Edition Chapter 12
What’s a database?
A database is a collection of data
Structured databases contain information that is organized as fields, records, and files
A field contains a single piece of information
A record contains fields of information about a single entity in the database
A group of similarly structured records form a file
A relational database allows you to store information for two or more different types of records and form a link between them
Each record type is stored in a table
For example, a video store database may include a table of customers and a table of movies
When a customer checks out a movie, a link is made between the two tables
Practical PC 6th Edition Chapter 12

4. Practical PC 6th Edition Chapter 12
What’s a database?
Practical PC 6th Edition Chapter 12

5. Do I need database software?
Database software provides a set of tools to enter and update information in fields
Also called a database management system
You can enter, delete, sort, and search for records
You might access a product database when shopping online or a bank database at an ATM
Database software offers a wealth of data management capabilities
Requires a substantial learning commitment
For simple files, you may be able to use MyDatabase, FileMaker Pro, and OpenOffice Base
You can also use spreadsheet software for simple databases
Practical PC 6th Edition Chapter 12

6. Do I need database software?
Practical PC 6th Edition Chapter 12

7. How would I create my own database?
Creating a database consists of two tasks:
Creating the file structure to hold the data
Adding the data
A file structure is a specification for the database fields and their characteristics
You’ll need to assign a name to each field
You may also need to specify the data type and maximum field length
You then enter the data carefully and consistently
Be consistent with symbols, capitalization, categories, and abbreviations
Compare onscreen data against the original documents
Practical PC 6th Edition Chapter 12

8. How would I create my own database?
Practical PC 6th Edition Chapter 12

9. Can I really create databases with spreadsheet software?
You can use spreadsheet software to maintain files of information
You cannot use it to join files or tables together to create a relational database
You can use the Form View feature in spreadsheet software to view each row as a “card” containing a series of fields
You can also filter the data, which is more complicated, but useful for creating reports that show only selected data
Practical PC 6th Edition Chapter 12

10. Can I really create databases with spreadsheet software?
Practical PC 6th Edition Chapter 12

11. What about databases on the Web?
You’ll find many databases on the Web
Look up your old roommate in a phone-book-style database
Look up flights in a database of flight schedules
Check the value of your car in a digital “Blue Book”
When you use a browser to access databases on the Web, you’ll typically enter a query using an HTML form
Practical PC 6th Edition Chapter 12

12. What about databases on the Web?
You can also add data to an online database, a process that typically takes place when you register for an account at a Web site or when you check out from an e-commerce site
Practical PC 6th Edition Chapter 12

13. Hardware: Tracking Devices
Real-time locating systems are similar to baby monitors, and can keep an eye on children and pets
Tracking device transmits signals to nearby base station
Alerts tracker when trackee moves outside a designated area
Practical PC 6th Edition Chapter 12

14. Hardware: Tracking Devices
Mobile locating tracks the position of a cellular device based on its distance from cell towers
Accuracy varies with number of towers and type of antenna
Practical PC 6th Edition Chapter 12

15. Hardware: Tracking Devices
GPS (Global Positioning System) technology is more accurate than cellular triangulation
Includes smartphones, handheld GPSs and dash-mounted GPSs, and GPS loggers
GPS devices receive signals transmitted by a collection of earth-orbiting satellites
Must log on to four satellites to determine a location
Requires line of sight to the sky
Practical PC 6th Edition Chapter 12

16. Hardware: Tracking Devices
Practical PC 6th Edition Chapter 12

17. Hardware: Tracking Devices
RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) is not location aware, and only transmits identification information
An RFID tag is composed of a tiny read-only memory chip and transmitter incorporated on a flexible backing
Stores a unique number
Can be read from a distance
Practical PC 6th Edition Chapter 12

18. Who owns information about me?
What do you think?
Can you identify an actual incident when you discovered that data about you had been distributed without your approval?
Do you accurately fill out questionnaires that you encounter on the Web?
Do you think that you have the right to be consulted before anyone distributes information about you?
Practical PC 6th Edition Chapter 12