MODULE 5 : Part 2INTRODUCTION TO DATABASE

Module Objectives

• At the end of the module, students should be able to:– Describe the process of creating a database in

general terms– Compare and contrast relational and object-

oriented databases– Explain what a data warehouse is and how it

differs from a database

Creating and Using a Database

1. Creating the database

2. Determining the table structure

3. Setting up the file structure

4. Entering the data

5. Using the database

1. Creating the Database

• Consider your needs– Reports you will need– Inquiries you will want to make

• consider possible future needs and the needs of other user.

• it is better to design carefully and minimize the need to modify the database structure.

2. Determining the Table Structure

• Sketch the table structure – what kind of data is needed in each column

• Determine characteristics of field– Field name

• Each field must have a unique field name

– Field type– Field width

• The maximum number of characters, including decimal places

Field Types

• Character fields – contain descriptive data• Numeric fields – contain numbers used for

calculation– Specify the number of decimal places

• Date fields• Logical fields – keep track of true/false or

yes/no conditions

3. Setting Up the File Structure

• Design the structure for each table– Define the table– Define each field in

the table– Define primary key

• Set up the table in design view

4. Entering the Data

• Enter data into the tables in datasheet view

• Enter data into the tables by using a graphical form

5. Using the Database

• Many operations can be performed to view and modify the datai. List the records

ii. List specific fields

iii. Make a query

iv. Modify the data

i. List the Records

• Displays the table in datasheet view– Displays all rows

and all columns

• Can be displayed on monitor or printed

ii. List Specific Fields

• Displays only the fields you want to view

• Use SQL to select the desired fields

iii. Make a Query

• Use SQL or query-by-example to produce a query– Use relational operator

to define criteria– Can be displayed on

monitor or printed– Can be formatted into a

report

iv. Modify the Data

• Add new records• Update (make changes to) an existing

record• Delete records

The Object-Oriented Database Model

• Designed to manipulate complex data types– Examples include maps and audio and video

files

• The object object is the main focus• Designed to incorporate object-oriented

programming with large amounts of complex data

An Object

• Represents a real-world entity (person, place, or thing)

• Includes both the entity and any actions that work with that entity– Includes characteristics (properties) of entity– Includes actions the entity can perform– Includes actions that can be performed on the

entity

Data Warehouses

• Contain data that has been captured in company databases– Can contain data that has been gathered from

external sources

• Use a variety of analytical tools

Analytical Tools

• Online Analytical Processing (OLAP) software – Analyzes data from all databases in the data

warehouse– Provides different “views” of the same data

• Data mining uses sophisticated statistical and artificial intelligence techniques– Looks for previously unrecognized patterns,

relationships, and trends among the data

Where to Get More Information

• H.L. Capron, J.A. Johnson. 2004. Computers: Tools for an Information Age.

Eighth Edition. Prentice-Hall. -- Chap 13

• Kroenke, D.M. 1998. Database Processing: Fundamentals, Design and

Implementation. Prentice-Hall. London.

• McFadden, F.R., Hoffer, J. A., Prescott, M. B. 1999, Modern Database

Management. Addison Wesley. Massachusetts.

• O’Leary, T.J., O’Leary, L.I. 1997. Computing Essentials. New York. McGraw-Hill

Companies, Inc.