Databases: Some Basic Concepts
A database file is made up of numerous records containing fields of information about each record. Each record can be thought of as a file card. Each file card has fields of information on it:
The database has 2 main views: Form View and Table View. Form View shows information one record at a time. Table View shows all the records in the database in a list format. (Note: In some database programs, Table View is called "List View.")
Once the database is created, three basic manipulations can be made:
(1) Sorting,
(2) Filtering (in some database programs, this is called "Querying")
(3) Creating Reports
Sorting allows you to sort the records according to certain fields, either ascending or descending, numerically or alphabetically:
Filtering allows you to delineate records according to what is found in the field. For example, showing only the names of those persons that live in Burgaw:
A Report allows you to only include selected fields to list and print. For example, creating a report showing only the Name and Phone fields:
Copyright 2005 by Dr. Edna H. Mory
