CREATING AND USING A DATABASE

1. Creating the database
2. Determining the database structure
3. Setting up the file structure
4. Entering the data
5. Using the database

Creating the database
Consider your needs
- Report you will need
- Inquiries you will want to make

Determining the database structure
a. Sketch the table structure - what kind of data is needed in each column.
b. 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 field - contain descriptive data
- Numeric fields - contain numbers used for calculation (specify the number of decimal places)
- Data fields
- Logical fields - keep track of true/false or yes/no conditions


Setting up the file structure
1. Design the structure for each table (define the table - define each field in the table - define primary key)
2. Set up the table in design view

Entering the data
1. Enter data into the tables in datasheet view
2. Enter data into the tables by using a graphical form

Using the database
Many operations can be performed to view and modify the data
- List the records
- List specific fields
- Make a query
- Modify the data

List the records
a. Displays the table in datasheet view (displays all rows and all columns)
b. Can be displayed on monitor or printed

List specific fields
a. Displays only the fields you want to view
b. Use SQL to select the desired fields

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)

Modify the data
a. Add new records
b. Update (make changes to) an existing record
c. Delete records

THE OBJECT-ORIENTED DATABASE MODEL

1. Designed to manipulated complex data types (examples include maps and audio and video files)
2. The object is the main focus
3. Designed to incorporate object-oriented programming with large amounts of complex data


An Object
a. Represent a real-world entity (person, place, or thing)
b. Includes both the entity and actions that work with that entity (Includes characteristics (properties) of entity - Includes actions the entity can perform - Include actions that can be performed on the entity)

Data Warehouses
a. Contain data that has been captured in company databases (can contain data that has been gathered from external sources)
b. Use a variey of analytical tools

Analytical Tools
1. Online analytical processing (OLAP) software (Analyzes data from all database in the data warehouse -Provides different "views" of the same data)
2. Data mining uses sophisticated statistical and artificial intelligence techniques (Looks for previously unrecognized patterns, relationship, and trends among the data