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MODELLING YEAR 8
A database is an organized collection of related information.
A database management system (DBMS) is a software system that allows
access to data contained in a database. The objective of the DBMS is to provide a
convenient and effective method of defining, storing and retrieving the information
contained in the database. The DBMS interfaces with the application programs,
so that the data contained in the database can be used by multiple applications
and users.
Examples of DBMS include: MySQL, Microsoft Access, Oracle, dBASE etc.

TYPES OF Database

1. Single table database (Flat-file database

2. Relational database
FLAT FILE DATABASE
A flat file database is a type of database that stores data in a single table. Flat
file databases are generally in plain-text form, where each line holds only one
record.

Surname Sex Class Category

Record 1 Angela F Year 7 Day
Record 2 Evelyn F Year 8 Day
Record 3 Edun M Year 9 Boarding
Record 4 Kingsley M Year 10 Boarding
Record 5 Oboh M Year 11 Day
Fig 1 - Example of Flat File

RELATIONAL DATABASE
A link between two tables is normally provided by a common field which forms a
key to one of the tables.

Fig 3 – Example of Relational Database

Teacher: Mrs Mark Summer Term

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MODELLING YEAR 8

DATABASE TERMINOLOGIES
1. Tables: store information. Tables are the heart of any database, and you can
create as many tables as you need to store different types of information. A table
is made up of rows and columns.
2. Field: This is one or more groups of characters representing a fact. It is also
called an attribute/column. The field title are defined at the column headers e.g.
Name, Date of birth, gender etc.
3. Record: This is a group of related fields pertaining to one person, place or thing.
It is also called a row.
4. File: This is a collection of related records. For example, the management of a
school can have files on “Male Students”, “Female Students”, “School Fees”, and
so on.
5. Primary Key: This is a unique field which identifies a record. A primary key is a
unique field which uniquely identifies a record.
6. Query: a query enables users to retrieve information from a table or view one
or more tables in a specific order. A query also stores questions asked from one or
more tables in a database.

launch Microsoft Access, choose File -> New -> “Blank Database” and click
on the “Create” key to kick-start your first Microsoft Access database!

Teacher: Mrs Mark Summer Term

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MODELLING YEAR 8

Create the Table

Teacher: Mrs Mark Summer Term

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MODELLING YEAR 8

The Datasheet View

The first column (ID) is auto-generated by Access and serves as the default primary
key. (You can change it)

Teacher: Mrs Mark Summer Term

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MODELLING YEAR 8
The Design View of Access is easily accessed using the DESIGN Tab -> View
-> Design View. (Alternately, you can click on the table name in the leftside tab, and
choose “Design View”.)

Teacher: Mrs Mark Summer Term