DAWN SQUIRESBROOKS COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL

Advanced Databases Introduction

What is a database?

Software containing a collection of data that can be manipulated and/or retrieved as needed and in a specified manner.

Access is one type of database software that we will use.

Other examples of database software are: QuickBase – from the makers of QuickBooks (Intuit) dQuery Alpha Five FileMaker Pro 10

What are key features of Access?

Easy to enter and update dataEasy to ask questions of the database and

have it give you answers.Easy to create nice looking forms to view and

enter/update data.Easy to create classy-looking reports.Can even be utilized via the web.

Review of what you already know . . .

Fields – columns that contain specific information inside of a record

Record – rows that contain info about a specific person, product, etc.

What I’ve found . . .

From my years of experience working as an administrative assistant in various types of offices, I have found that usually one doesn’t start out to design a database and begin entering data. Usually, you have data in Word documents and Excel files that you realize would be more useful if you had them incorporated into a database. If they were in a database, you would be able to extract only the information needed at a particular time. A database is born!

What I’ve found continued . . .

I’ve compiled data in various types of file formats that we will incorporate into a database. This data will be used for both Access units on forms and reports.

Have fun!