Computer Apps. 1 Ch. 15 Database Basics

report template

a pattern that controls how data will be displayed

field

a record in which each separate piece of data is stored

flat-file database

allows the user to work with data in only one table

sort

arrange data in alphabetical or numerical order

data type

certain type of information that can be entered into a database

tables

contains a collection of related data

record

contains information about one individual or item

ascending order

data is sorted in values such as 1,2,3, or A, B, C that get larger or higher

descending order

data is sorted in values such as 1,2,3, or A, B, C that get smaller or lower (decrease)

relational databases

files linked to each other by a field that is found in each of the files

Garbage In, Garbage Out

idea that a database is only as good as the data it contains

database management system

manages the storage, organization, processing, and retrieval of data in a database

browse

one way to look through all the records in database

reports

ordered lists of selected records and fields in an easy-to-read format

databases

organized collections of information stored on a computer

information overload

potential problem due to having access to too much data

key field

shared by two or more tables in a database; the link between tables in a relational database

object-oriented databases

store information about documents, audio clips, and video clips