GoalExplain what a database is, and tell fields from records, using invented people only.
New words
database · organised information stored in a computer so that it is easy to study and changefield · one kind of information, shown as a column headingrecord · all the information about one person or thing, shown as a rowID number · a number that belongs to one record only
Explanation
A database is organised information stored in a computer, so that it is easy to study and change. It can hold facts about people, places or objects. A teacher keeps a secure list of pupils; a company keeps a list of its workers. A spreadsheet can be used as a small database. Look at it as a table. Each column has a heading, and each heading is a field, such as ‘Class’ or ‘Sport’. Each row is a record, which holds everything about one person or thing. Every record needs an ID number that belongs to that record only, so that two records are never mixed up, even if two people have the same name. A new column, which is a new field, can be added at any time. Data about real people must be protected, so in our lessons we use only invented people, such as ‘Student 1’, and made-up ID numbers. Never write real names, numbers or classes.
A
B
C
1
ID
Class
Sport
2
101
6A
Football
3
102
6A
Swimming
4
103
6B
Football
5
104
6B
Tennis
Worked examples
A
B
C
1
ID
Class
Sport
2
101
6A
Football
3
102
6A
Swimming
4
103
6B
Football
5
104
6B
Tennis
Field and record. In this table the field ‘Class’ is the column B. The record for ID 103 is row 4: ID 103, class 6B, sport Football. One column, one kind of information; one row, one pupil.
ID
Name
Class
105
Student 4
6A
106
Student 4
6C
Why an ID. Two invented pupils are both called ‘Student 4’. Their IDs 105 and 106 are different, so the computer never mixes them up.
ID
Job
Shift
W1
driver
morning
W2
cleaner
evening
W3
guard
night
A company list (invented). The fields are ID, Job and Shift. Each worker is one record. A new field such as ‘Room’ can be added later as a new column.
Class activity
Build a tiny database. On paper draw a table with the fields ID, Class and Favourite fruit. Add four records for invented pupils (‘Student 1’ to ‘Student 4’) with made-up ID numbers. Circle one field and underline one record. Then add a new field, ‘Favourite colour’, and fill it in. Remember: never use real names, numbers or classes.
Practice
1
What is a field?
One kind of information, shown as a column heading.
2
What is a record?
All the information about one person or thing, shown as a row.
3
Why does each record have its own ID number?
So records are never mixed up, even if two have the same name.
