Databases

1. Explain what the term data means and give an example

2. Explain what the term information means and give an example

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3. Explain in your own words what a database is used for

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4. Give an example of a paper-based database

5. Give an example of a computerised database

6. Explain what each of these terms mean in relation to a database and give an
example:
Field

........................

Record

........................
File

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7. What is the purpose of a primary key?

Which of the following database fields would be the most suitable to use as a primary
key (tick and explain why)?
Student Name
Student Address
Student Number
Student D.O.B.
Students Form

Which of the following database fields would be the most suitable to use as a primary
key (tick and explain why)?
Car model
Car make
Colour
Registration number
Number of doors

8. Explain the difference between a flat-file database and a relational database

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9. When setting up your fields in a database, you should choose the most appropriate
datatypes. Explain what type of data would be stored in each of the following
datatypes
Alphanumeric (text)
Number

Text and text with numbers combined

Numbers including those with decimal
places

Currency
Date/Time
Logical/ Boolean/ Yes No
Autonumber
Give an example for the following datatypes
Alphanumeric (text)
Number
Currency
Date/Time
Logical/ Boolean/ Yes No
Autonumber

Postcode CV64 3RT

Which would be the most appropriate datatype for the following?

15.99
NQTR56N8J
15, Pear Tree Avenue
14th November 2002
Male Female
16
10. Explain why it is important to change the field length from the default of 50
characters to something more appropriate

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Decide which would be appropriate field lengths for the following fields
Gender (male/female)

Forename
House number and street name
Postcode
Telephone number

11. When setting up a database table, it is a good idea to use validation. Explain what
the purpose of validation is for.

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Validation cannot stop incorrect information from being entered into the database.
Explain why, giving an example

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There are different types of validation which you might choose to include. Fill in the
table on the next page:

Type of
validation
Required field

Explanation
This means that data must be
entered into every field the field
cannot be left blank

Type check

Range check

Example
Telephone number

Presence check

Picture or format
check

12. Explain what the term Garbage in Garbage out (GIGO) means

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13. Explain what the term Verification means and give examples of how verification
can be performed

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14. Sometimes data which is used regularly is coded. Think of an appropriate code to
use for the following examples:
Males, Females
Green, Red, Blue, Brown
Ford, Volkswagen, Honda, Toyota

M F

Think of two advantages of coding data

Think of a disadvantage of coding data

15. Explain how you could search for data in a database and give an example

In order to search for data from a database, you can use operators. Complete the
table below to show some of the operators which you can use.
Operator
>

Means
Greater than
Less than

Example
Greater than 5,000
Exactly 15

<>
Greater than or equal to
Less than or equal to
16. Once you have found the data you need from the query, you may want to use it to
create a report. Explain why this might be a good idea.