OCR Cambridge Nationals in
ICT
(Level 1/2)
R004
Handling Data Using
Databases
What is a database?
The database is probably the most
widely used computer program.
It is like an electronic filing cabinet.
The benefit of storing
data electronically is
the ability to search
and retrieve information
in the blink of eye.
Databases
This
information
available
Databases
couldisbeoften
anything
fromto
a multiple
small listemployees,
of
allowing
to quickly
search for
customerthem
names
and addresses
to information.
an index of the
entire product range of a global company.
Databases and you
Someabout
Data
examples
you will
of databases
have been that
stored
could
on contain
a
database
your
information
since the
are:
day you were born.
• Register Office (Births)
• National Health Service
• Banks
• Mobile Phone companies.
Websites
Many
Sites websites
like YouTube
oftenand
use a ‘back-end’ database to store
MetaCafe
website elements
use databases
in a content management system,
such
to as
store
Joomla.
their video
libraries.
Larger sites such as
Amazon use databases
to store and index all of
the items they sell.
Games
The games industry use databases in their game
On mobile devices,
engines to allow the programmers
to buildmany
gamegame
worlds,
appsadd
linkcharacters.
to a database in order to
choose from options and
rank the top players.
Interrogating
The ability
ablerecords
to search
through
large
amounts
Finding
twotoorbe
three
from
a store
of millions
canof
data
quickly
is one
the main
advantages
be
done
in a and
few easily
seconds
andof
saves
businesses
time
of
database
software.
and
money as
well as adding to employee efficiency.
Reporting
Database software not only allows the user to add,
store, edit and find information; they also allow the user
to report information in the form of reports and graphs.
This means lists, tables and
searches can be presented in
an easy to read format for
presenting to a manager.
You will learn…
How
How
toto
search
modify
a data
database
in
How
tochoose
create
input
forms
and
How
test
the
data
for
accuracy
How
to
use
validation
rules
How
toto
and
set
data
types.
using
existing
complex
databases.
queries.
menus.
and
produce
reports.
to prevent data errors.
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