CS 100 Databases

Unit 1: Introducing the Database

Objectives

At the end of this unit you will be able to:

• Create a new database.
• Open an existing database.
• Create a database table.
• Enter database records.
• Understand how a database compares to a spreadsheet.

Lecture

Introducing the Database

Skills

• Lesson 1: Creating and Saving a Database
• What preparations are necessary before you create a database?
• How do you start Access?
• How do you open an existing database?
• How do you create a new database?
• How do you save a database?
• Lesson 2: Creating a Database Table
• How do you create a table?
• How do you switch between the different views?
• How do you add a field to a table?
• How do you delete a field from a table?
• How do you reposition a field in a table?
• How do you change the type and format of a field in a table?
• Lesson 3: Entering Data
• How do you add a record to a table?
• How do you delete a record from a table?
• How do you find a record with a specific field value?

Concepts

An understanding of certain concepts is necessary to succeed in the lessons. The following concepts are defined where applicable in the lesson text. You may also click on any concept listed here to see it defined.

1. What is a database?
2. When should I use a database?
3. How does a database compare to a spreadsheet?
4. What are the key terms associated with databases?
5. What is a primary key?
6. What does it mean to create a relationship between tables?
7. What is the difference between a text field that contains numeric data and a numeric field?
8. What are the different views of a table?
9. What is schema design?
10. What are the different kinds of database field?
11. Why isn't all data "Text" type?
12. How is a field different from an entry?
13. What if I don't know how the data are used?
14. What if there are different kinds of data for different things?
15. What is a dataset?
16. Can I make more than one table? Database?

Self-Check

Do you know the difference between the Datasheet view and Design view? The following self-check will test your understanding of this and other concepts:

• DB Self-Check #1

Assignments

You must complete the following assignment associated with the lessons above to receive credit for this unit.

• Database Assignment 1.

Copyright 1997 by the Curators of the University of Missouri