Data Types

Create a new database in Access. Call it “Data types”.
Access the help section of Access and type in the phrase “field data types available in access”
Create a record for each of the data types – you will need three fields as indicated in the help file.
Enter the data – try to summarize rather than just copying all of the help file

Querying A Database:

1. Open MS Access
2. From the file menu choose “open”.
3. “Point” to your database file that you saved on the network and click “open”.
4. You will then see the Database window shown below.
5. Select the query tab and then click the new button; ie. Let’s make a new query.
6. You will then be prompted for the type of format you would like to work with. Select design view.
6. You will now see two windows; “select query” and “show table”. You only have one table to work with. Your table is probably called “address”. Select it and click “add”. You should now see the table appear in the upper section of the “select query” window as shown below. You can now close the add table window.


7. Drag the field name “Surname” from the table into the first column of the row called “field” as shown above.
8. Drag “Name” and “Postcode” into the locations as shown. Enter a postcode you know is in your database; eg. 2145
9. Save the query (you will need to give it a name) then close it. The original database window should now be visible. You should notice that your query is now listed in the window.
10. Ensure your query is highlighted and then choose “open”.
11. What you now have displayed are the results of your query.

What sort of information has the query selected?
The query has selected all the information of the people with the post code 2146, which are mine and Shamona’s.


12. We can alter any query as follows. Firstly close the query and return to the main database window. With the “query” tab selected choose “design”. In the “or” row in the postcode column enter another postcode from your database; eg. 2146. Save and view the results of the query as before.

What sort of information has this second query selected?
It has now brought up the information from both the post codes 2146 and 2151 and the other information that came with.



13. Design the following queries and describe the type of information they are selecting.


Query 3 shows all the phone numbers which have the number *2* in them.

Query 4 shows all the phone number which have the number *3* in them.


14. Create the following queries and test to see they work. Record the fields and criteria you used for each query.

a) Postcode of 2145 or 2146.

b) Postcode between 2140 and 2170.

c) Surnames starting with F.

d) Surnames or first names containing "m".

e) Surnames and first names containing "a".

Creating A Basic Database

Creating a basic database……the address book

In this activity we will create a simple address book database consisting of a single table.
Visit the link below;
http://www.teacherclick.com/access2003/index.htm
Note: each tutorial is also available in video format if you click the camera icon

1. Using the directions in tutorials 2 create a database called address book and save it in your S: drive.
2. Using the directions in tutorial 3 create a table in the address book database with the following fields;
Surname, First Name, Date of birth, Home phone, Mobile, Postcode, Street, Suburb
3. Using the directions in tutorial 4 (under “Introducing and modifying data in a table.”). Add about ten records (People) to your database. Save the finished table

Database Definitions Activity Sheet

This is a simple activity whereby you can demonstrate your grasp of terms commonly used when referring to databases. Sites such as http://www.webopedia.com/ will be very useful in completing this activity.

Provide a basic definition for each of the following terms;
-FIELD: Financial Information Engine on Land Degradation (FIELD), a dynamic knowledge management system for searching, sharing and harnessing information related to sustainable land management financing.
-RECORD: anything (such as a document or a phonograph record or a photograph) providing permanent evidence of or information about past events
-FILE: A file is a collection of letters, numbers and special characters: it may be a program, a database, a dissertation, a reading list, a simple letter etc.
-QUERY: In general, a query is a question, often required to be expressed in a formal way.
-DATABASE: A database is a structured collection of records or data that is stored in a computer system.
-REPORT: A report is a very formal document that is written for a variety of purposes, generally in the sciences, social sciences, engineering and business.
-DBMS: DBMS is a computer software program that is designed as the means of managing all databases that are currently installed on a system hard drive or network
-DATA DICTIONARY: A data dictionary is a collection of descriptions of the data objects or items in a data model for the benefit of programmers.
















Illustrate, with the aid of a table or diagram, what is a file, record and field. Use the example of a database of music containing album titles, song titles, artists, genre etc.

-A file is a type of Database which can contain various layers. The first layer is the table which contains the information, broken up even more. Inside the table you have Records which organize the information more to make it more legible. Then the last layer is the fields which break up the records into different categories’ of information.

List as many commonly used databases as you think of – you should be able to come up with at least five.

-Music Albums
-Phone Contact Lists
-School Time Tables
-Classroom roles
-Games High Score Records

"The Yellow Pages Activities" Answers

What is a Definition?
A database is a structured collection of records or data. A computer database relies upon software to organize the storage of data.
Examples:
Examples of database are club membership lists, customer lists, library catalogues, business card files, and parts inventories.




1. Blue Mountains Business Machines- 99 Katoomba St, Katoomba, NSW, 2780

2. M & A Fresh Cut Flowers- 91a Fowler Rd Merrylands NSW 2160

3.
-Sebel Resort- (07) 5474 6400
-BreakFree French Quarter- (07) 5430 7100
-BreakFree Ocean Breeze- (07) 5447 4977
-Hotel Laguna- (07) 5447 3077

4.


My Friends House.
Found with the white pages.

• The Yellow/White Pages are a database, because they hold organized information which can be changed, searched or added at anytime.
• With the electronic Yellow Pages you can search quicker for business with only a broad idea of a location or shop genre, and you are provided with a map to assist you even more.
  
• With the Online/White Yellow Pages you can locate peoples houses , which gives a lack of privacy.

Database Activity: The Yellow Pages

What is a database?
Lets try using the define feature in google……enter “define: database” into the search criteria. After discussing various definitions in class, record the one which is most meaningful to you.

Examples of Databases
Given your above definition what would be some examples of commonly encountered databases

Open your browser at the following address.
www.yellowpages.com.au

Use the website to answer the following problems.

1. I know there is a computer shop in the main street of Katoomba (Katoomba St.), but I don’t know its name. See if you can find the number for me.
2. Sally lives in Merrylands on Fowler Rd. and she wants to know the closest florist to where she lives. Help her out (see if you can get her a map).
3. You want the phone numbers of some motels in Noosa QLD. But of course your phone book only has NSW numbers?
4. Just for fun try the white pages and see if you can find a map of you or your friends house.


¨ Is the yellow/white pages a database? Give reasons for your answer.
¨ What can you see as some of the advantages of using this electronic database compared to the conventional paper based version of the yellow pages?
¨ Do you see any dangers or disadvantages in this online version of the yellow pages?