Access 2010 Ch 2

if a user attempts to enter an invalid value the

Validation Text Property for the field opens a dialog box with a predefined message that explains the valid values

literal characters

a character that enhances the readability of data but is not necessarily stored as part of the data, such as a dash in a phone number

password

a collection of characters that a user types to gain access to a file

Description property

a property of a field used to document its contents (instructions explaining what the field records)

Object Definition Report

a report generated by the Database Documenter

open read-only mode

allows multiple users to open a database, but they cannot write any information to the database, such as adding or changing records or creating new objects. users are limited to viewing existing data only

Open Mode

allows multiple users to open and use the database at the same time. this is the default option for opening a database

lookup wizard

an Access tool that allows you to set field properties to look up data in another table or in a list of values created for the field

design view

an Access view that you use to define the fields and properties for a table, query, form, or report

validation rule

compares the data entered by the user against one or more valid rules that the database developer specified using the Validation Rule property for the field (like gender can only be "M" or "F")

backing up

creates a copy of the database that you can restore in the event of a loss

Input Mask

dictates how you enter the data by determining how it is stored in a predefined format. (phone numbers, dates, etc.)

datasheet view

displays a table's records in rows and the table's fields in columns

Default value property

enters a default value into any type of field except for an AutoNumber field

Input Mask Wizard

guides you through the necessary steps for creating an input mask and lets you enter sample values to ensure the correct results

table window

indicates the table's name

lookup field

lets the user select a field value from a list of existing field values stored in the database or from a list of values that he specifies when he creates the lookup field

show previous versions mode

lets you view previous versions of the file.

navigation pane

lists all objects (tables, reports, etc.) in the database so you have easy access to them

nonprimary key fields

many want these to store NULL values

open exclusive mode

opens the database so that all users except for the current user are locked out from opening and using the database at the same time. a database admin uses this option to open the database prior to setting a password or database security

open exclusive read-only mode

opens the database so that all users except for the current user are locked out, but the current user can only view the data in the database

Caption Property

specifies how a field name will appear in different database objects; the default is the field name for all data types unless you change it.

validation rule property

specifies the valid values that users can enter into the field

Field Properties Pane

the bottom part of the Design view. this area displays the field properties for the selected field.

database administration (DBA)

the group that is responsible for designing, maintaining, and securing a database

database window

the main control panel for the database

database administrator

the person who designs, maintains, and secures a database

required property

the property of a nonprimary key field that requires users to enter a value in the field

table design grid (or design grid)

the top pane in Design view that includes the field name, data type, and description columns; each row in the table design grid represents a field in the table

compact

to reorganize the data and objects in a database by reassigning and deleting unused space. compacting a database usually reduces its file size.

database documenter

tool that produces a report of every object or just selected objects in a database

Null Value

when a field as a value that is unknown, or unavailable or just missing (cannot be in a primary key field)

encrypt

when you ___ a database with a password, the data is made unreadable by other tools. this tool provides a stronger algorithm, or protection, than previous versions of Access