Databases


A database is a collection of data or information which is stored in a logical and structured way

Databases can be either paper-based or computerized collections of data.

Paper based database examples

Paper based databases 

Advantages: 

*Cheap to set up
*Don’t need electricity, so will work if you have a power-cut
*Don’t need a computer – which is expensive
*Can carry them around with you
*Don’t need training to learn how to use them

Paper based databases

Disadvantages

*Can be lost
*Can’t easily make back-up copies
*Hard to update or make changes
*Card systems can get in a muddle if cards not replaced in the correct order
*Can take a while to search for a particular record

Computerized database examples

Computerized databases 

Advantages: 

*Can easily make back-up copies
*Can easily make changes
*Can easily sort data into order e.g. alphabetic
*Can search for particular records very quickly
*Can import or export data to/from other packages

Computerized databases

Disadvantages

*Can be expensive to set up if you have to get a professional to make it
*If there is a power-cut, you can’t use it
*You need to have a computer
*Cannot carry it around with you – unless you take a computer
*You often need training to learn how to use them

Sherlock Holmes activity

Can you help Sherlock Holmes to solve crimes?  Use the database provided to interrogate the database and create queries to help you catch the correct villain.

Database Vocabulary

Your school keeps a lot of information about every student. 

Think of some of the information they keep about you.

*Name*
*Date of Birth*
*Address*
*Parents name*
*Doctors name*
*Phone number*
*Email address*
*Attendance*
*Grades*

Each of these is one piece of information about you.

Each of these different types of information is called a Field

All of the ‘fields’ are put together to make a ‘Record’


A ‘Record’ is all of the data about one person or one thing.

Search Activity

Download the Excel file here and using the filters, can you fill in the missing information
lesson3.xls
File Size: 90 kb
File Type: xls
Download File
lesson_3_student_sheet.doc
File Size: 64 kb
File Type: doc
Download File

Super Hero Database

-Download the super hero database here

filmcharacters.mdb
File Size: 2568 kb
File Type: mdb
Download File

1. Use the table provided to create a form that is suitable for the superhero database 

2. Choose suitable themes for the fields, backgrounds, fonts,  colors in (design view)

3. Add a new field called picture and set the data type as "OLE Object"

4. Add a image to each super hero (make sure you are in form view first)

Creating Queries

Download this document and create queries to find the most suitable superheros for the movie

Databases.ppt
File Size: 2687 kb
File Type: ppt
Download File

Starter Activity

Can you solve the crossword puzzle?