1. Database Fundamentals
Objective 5.01: Understand database tables used in business
Obj. 5.01: 1-Database-Fundamentals-Ppt. revised for 09-10

2. organize, store, retrieve, and communicate (report on)
What is a Database?
A database is a tool used to
organize, store, retrieve, and
communicate (report on)
groups of related information.
Databases help you manage practically endless types of information: sales and inventory numbers, student records, or a home collection of DVDs, CDs, and videotapes, just to name a few.
Obj. 5.01: 1-Database-Fundamentals-Ppt. revised for 09-10

3. Examples of Databases 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
Business stock inventory
Barcode scanner keeps inventory in database
Real estate listings
MLS listings online
Fingerprint database
Obj. 5.01: 1-Database-Fundamentals-Ppt. revised for 09-10

4. More Examples of Databases
Hospital/patient data
Internet search engines
databases
iTunes
Music
Personal address book
Student data (NCWISE),
such as Student ID #’s
Payroll data
Employee names
Employee Soc. Security numbers
Pay rates
Exemptions
Obj. 5.01: 1-Database-Fundamentals-Ppt. revised for 09-10

5. 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.
Obj. 5.01: 1-Database-Fundamentals-Ppt. revised for 09-10

6. What makes a Database? Databases consist 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
All databases contain one or more tables.
Queries
Queries can combine data from different tables, update your data, and perform calculations on your data.
Obj. 5.01: 1-Database-Fundamentals-Ppt. revised for 09-10

7. Tables Tables store data, so they are the essential building blocks
of all databases.
Tables--are used to group
and organize the
information within a database.
All databases contain at least one table.
Each database usually consists of one or more tables.

8. 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.

9. Tables 1. A Table is an arrangement of columns and rows.
A Table is the fundamental building block of all databases.
In a Database Table:
Rows called Records
Columns called Fields
Obj. 5.01: 1-Database-Fundamentals-Ppt. revised for 09-10

10. 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.
Obj. 5.01: 1-Database-Fundamentals-Ppt. revised for 09-10

11. Tables A Field is a unique identifier
3. A Field is 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.
Obj. 5.01: 1-Database-Fundamentals-Ppt. revised for 09-10

12. Tables
4. A Record is a complete description of all of the fields related to one item in a table.
A Record – A group of related fields of information.
Everything on one row
is a record.
A Record is a single piece
of data in a database table.
Obj. 5.01: 1-Database-Fundamentals-Ppt. revised for 09-10

13. Database Tables: The Big Picture
Entries
Field
4. Record
3. FIELDS (columns)
4. RECORDS (rows)
Distribute B “Parts of a Database” Activity and B “Parts of a Database Activity Two” Activity for students to work on.
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.
Obj. 5.01: 1-Database-Fundamentals-Ppt. revised for 09-10