Create an appropriate database structure: Import data from existing files (including .csv, .txt) using specified field names to create tables
Set appropriate data types to fields including text, numeric (integer, decimal, currency), date/time, Boolean/logical
Set sub-types of numeric data including percentage, number of decimal places
Set display format of Boolean/logical field (yes/no, true/false, checkbox)
Set display format of date/time data
Create and edit primary and foreign keys
Create relationships between tables
Create and use a data entry form: Create a data entry form including specified fields, appropriate font styles and sizes, appropriate spacing between fields, character spacing of individual fields, use of white space, radio buttons, check boxes, drop down menus
Types of database: Characteristics, uses, advantages and disadvantages of a flat file and a relational database
Primary and foreign keys: Characteristics of primary key and foreign keys
Traditional flat-file databases store data using a system of files, records and fields. Understanding these fundamental components is essential for working with databases.
Core Components
Field
A field is a single item of data, such as a forename or date of birth
Each field has a fieldname, which is used to identify it within the database
Each field contains one type of data (e.g., numbers, text, or a date)
Record
A record is a collection of fields
It represents all the information about one person or one item
Records may contain different data types across their fields
File
A file (in database terms) is an organized collection of records
All records are organized so they can be stored together
Table
In Microsoft Access, data is stored in the form of tables
Tables are organized by rows and columns
Each row in a table contains a record
Each column in the table represents a field
Each cell in a column has the same, pre-defined field type