Data Types

syllabus
Candidates should be able to: (a) identify different data types: logical/Boolean, alphanumeric/text, numeric (real and integer) and date (b) select appropriate data types for a given set of data: logical/Boolean, alphanumeric/text, numeric and date (c) describe what is meant by the terms file, record, field and key field (d) describe different database structures such as flat files and relational tables including the use of relationships, primary keys and foreign keys (e) state the difference between analogue data and digital data (f) explain the need for conversion between analogue and digital data

different data types

Data type Logical/Boolean Numeric (Integer) Numeric (Real) Alphanumeric Date

Description
two states only. Typically: True / False or Yes / No

a whole number
decimal number / floating point number one or more keyboard characters e.g. F15* date or time

select appropriate data types

Data type
Logical/Boolean

Example
smoking / Non Smoking or Male / Female

Numeric (Integer)
Numeric (Real)

score in a text between 0 and 100

length of a car 2.45 i.e 2m 45cm

Alphanumeric
Date

room where ICT is held e.g. G16

date of birth e.g. 09/06/1996

question on data types

files, records and fields

A file is a collection of data that contains all records and fields. A record holds all of the information about one item or

subject.

Lisa Al Hamra 10/10/1999 Villa 26 Al Hamra Riyadh 056327278

A field is an area of storage space for one data item e.g.

Student name

question on fields, records and files

flat file
A flat file is a database with only one table or a series

of unrelated tables

Relational database
Primary key is a unique identifier for a record e.g.

studentID for a student Foreign key is a primary key in another table. The foreign key is used to link to the primary key so that the tables can be related.

analogue data
a device in which data are represented by

continuously variable, measurable, physical quantities, such as length, width, voltage, or pressure.

digital data
a device that can generate, record, process, receive,

transmit, or display information that is represented in discrete numerical form.

analogue to digital converter

Why a converter is needed Sensors are used (to generate data) usually in analogue format Data are then sent to computer Computers work with digital data only Data needs to be converted so computers can process/understand data

June 2003 Questions

June 2003 Answers

June 2003 Questions

June 2003 Answers

June 2003 Answers

Nov 2003

Nov 2003 Answers