AF_IC02_ Introducció a les BBDD.
AF Unit 1. Relational data base elements.
INDEX
1. Introduction ...........................................................................................................2.
2. LibreOffice Base ...................................................................................................3.
3. File types in LibreOffice Base ............................................................................. 4.
4. Objects Data Base ................................................................................................6.
4.1. Requirements ..........................................................................................7.
4.2. The information model ...........................................................................8.
4.3. Data types ................................................................................................8.
4.4. The field key ............................................................................................8.
4.5. The relations ............................................................................................8.
5. Data Base types ....................................................................................................9.
5.1. Integer ......................................................................................................9.
5.2. Floating-Point ........................................................................................10.
5.3. Text.........................................................................................................10.
5.4. Date/Time ...............................................................................................10.
5.5. Other Types ...........................................................................................10.
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1. Introduction.
A database can be defined as a set of homogeneous information maintaining an ordered
structure, and which can easily be maintained and updated.
A clear example of a database would be the agenda of a company in which certain information
(name, address , phone, etc..) related to each of its customers, suppliers or employees is stored.
To manage this information it would be necessary to create the database "Agenda".
Another example of a database would be the set of data and information related to a video club
( movie data , customers, distributors, gender ... ) whereby, through a specific program for these
tasks a Database data Manager would have to create a database "video club" .
Another example of a database would be an educational institution where all necessary files to
control students, teachers, courses, prices, etc ... are available. The database could be called
the "Academy".
Often the idea of a database table is misinterpreted.
A table is a structure of rows and columns that contain information or data of a particular nature,
such as a table of data (code, name, address, activity... ) of the 12345 clients, for example, of a
company; This would be called a customer table.
Each row would have all the data for each customer, which would in terms of database be
called a record: It was previously called tab. In each column you would have all the data related
to an item in this table (all names, all activities... ).This is called a field.
However, a database ( all information and management elements of information regarding the
same subject ) can contain multiple tables ( customers, vendors, items, families, discounts ) and
other items that you can work with in the data tables.
In LibreOffice Base, these other elements are called queries, forms and reports. Therefore,
within a database, there may be elements of different natures as we will see throughout this unit.
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2. LibreOffice Base.
From version 2.0 of OpenOffice.org a new application called Base, a manager of database with
its own SQL engine was implemented. LibreOffice Base, aspires to be a successful LibreOffice
equivalent to the popular Microsoft Access.
With LibreOffice Base files we can create databases:

Directly manage data with its engine HSQLDB relational database.

Establish a connection to an external database. In LibreOffice you can record almost any
type of database in different formats: spreadsheet, CSV text, dBase, Access, Oracle,
and in general, any database accessible via ODBC or JDBC. Once the database is
registered we can use the data to create mailings or analyse the pilot data spreadsheet
( PivotTables ).
In either cases, tables LibreOffice Base can be used to design, build relationships, create
views and queries, and create forms and reports, depending on the capabilities of the data base
accessed.
TO KNOW MORE
Wiki LibreOffice
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3. File types in LibreOffice Base.
If you have studied a word processor such as the LibreOffice Writer program, you know that
with this program, the information is managed (text mainly) and archived in files .ODT. For
example, if you create a letter with information, typed, the necessary extension will be stored in
a file such as "letter.odt".
If we examine a spreadsheet program such as LibreOffice Calc, we know that with this program,
the information (numerical data and formulas basically) is managed and archived in files to the
program itself with the extension ODS. We create a file Calc spreadsheet to prepare budgets,
information entered, data, formulae, functions, etc.. which be stored in a file such as
"budget.ods".
Similarly, all information pertaining to the same area of running a business (agenda, video club,
academy...) can be managed using a database manager program such as LibreOffice Base,
and is stored in a file that the program itself has, the . ODB extension to,(LibreOffice Data
Base), leaving the database files stored, for example, in the hard drive computer with the names
"clients.odb " or "video club.odb " or " academy.odb ".
AF1-1: FORUM in classroom
TASK: Think about one real situation where it would be necessary to create a database to
store information and then compare and contrast this information with other classmates.
Within . ODB ( for Base), all data files on a particular topic are stored in a table.
In the above example, you could store the data for customers in a table, the references to
suppliers in another, the articles in another, etc.., Therefore, as we can see a database can hold
multiple tables.
The information in each table is arranged in rows and columns. Each row in a table is called a
record, and each column a field . Continuing with the example, each row or record containing
all information related to each of the customers of the company , and each column or field, each
individual data of each customer.
Number
1234
1235
1236
1237
1238
Name
Charly
Mary
Adrian
Maria
Carla
Address
Av Catalunya, 3
C/ Palma, 4
C/ Riba, 22 4º-B
C/ St Pere, 3 4º
C/ Bajo, 9
...
...
...
...
...
...
RECORDS
FIELDS
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Therefore, every record is made up of diverse fields, and every field, contains the same type of
information in each of the records.
If any information of the data base is compared with a typical agenda, every card of the agenda
would correspond with every row of the table, that is to say with a record.
In all the cards of the agenda the same information will keep each of them corresponding to a
field. The set of cards of the agenda would constitute a table of a base of information.
In the following picture, you have a comparison between the different office applications of
Microsoft Office and LibreOffice as for the extension (format) of the files generated with every
program.
Microsoft
Word
.doc
.docx
Writer
.odt
Microsoft
Excel
.xls
.xlsx
Calc
.ods
Microsoft
Access
.mdb
.accbd
Base
.odb
Microsoft
PowerPoint
.ppt
.pptx
Impress
.odp
TO KNOW MORE
LibreOffice Base vs Microsoft Access.
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4. Objects Data Base.
LibreOffice Bases possesses a series of tools and objects to store and to manage information.
Inside a file of database, a file .odb, different elements called objects, each with their different
natures exist:
Tables: They are the managers of storing the information.
The storage information is carried out thanks to the structure of the tables. A good structure of
the tables is indispensable in order to carry out all necessary operations efficiently.
The tables are the main elements. If there are no tables, the rest of elements of a database
cannot exist.
In other words, If you don't have the main stores of information, that is to say the tables, it's not
possible to create a database.
Queries: They allow to give response to questions that could appear with regard to the
information stored in the tables. In addition, they allow you to make calculations and operations
with the stored information.
From this form we can obtain the information to work exclusively with those that are needed in
every moment.
You can save these criteria, in order to use them in future occasions. That is a query.
Forms: They take charge presenting the information proceeding from tables or
consultations with a personalized and "elegant" format.
From this form they present the information in an attractive form, being able at the same time to
carry out other operations with records: to add, to modify, to eliminate, etc.
It is better to work with the information of the tables seeing them across a form instead of in the
shape of table of rows and columns. This is the interface that works the best.
Reports: They create summaries and present the information of tables and
consultations with a personalized format, fundamentally in order "to extract them" for printing
(though not always). The possibilities for it are immense.
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TABLES
REPORTS
LibreOffice
BASE
QUERIES
FORMS
4.1. Requirements.
Before you can create a new database document, you need to know your specific needs.
You might want to try to identify your requirements so you can be sure that you find a solution
that will fit all of your current and future needs.
To construct a database, first you have to know that it will contain information. It is important to
analyze your needs before starting the database
The analysis can be carried out in different ways but one way consists of elaborating a list of
fields that you wish to include in the database.
The fields are where the information is placed into the table.
When you have the fields of the information, you must group them, at the end, you are left with
the tables of the database.
An example might be:
Name
Surname
Partner number
Partner type
Address
Telephone number
City
Zip code
Description partner type
Inscription date
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4.2. The information model.
When you have ended the analysis you can start grouping the fields.
If we continue with the previous example.
Partner
Partner number
Partner type
Inscription date
Name
Surname
Address
Zip code
Partner types
Partner type
Description partner type
Zip codes
Zip code
City
If you organize the information, be sure to avoid repeated information.
4.3. Data types.
The information that you can stored in a database can be of text type, numerical type, a date, an
answer (yes / no), a note or another type of information.
The types of information indicate the type of information that the field will have.
4.4.The key field.
One of the fields of every table has to be defined as a key field. This field will serve to identify a
record of the only form.
For example, if two partners have the same name and the same surname and live at the same
address, you will have to distinguish them in the database. The key field could be a number of
partner because it is unique.
4.5.The relations.
The tables of the database can be interrelated by logical relations with other tables.
When you create a database, you use separate tables for different types of entities. Some
examples are: employees, departments, contracts, etc.
Sometimes you have to work with multiple tables that have relationships with each other.
However you need to have relationships between these tables. For example, employees is
employed at a department, employees have a contract, etc..
There are several types of database relationships:

One to One Relationships: This type of relationship occurs when each entry in the
first table has one, and only one, counterpart in the second table.
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
One to Many or Many to One Relationships: This type of relationship occurs
when each record in the first table corresponds to one or more records in the second
table but each record in the second table corresponds to only one record in the first
table.

Many to Many Relationships: This type of relationship occurs when each record in
the first table corresponds to one or more records in the second table and each
record in the second table corresponds to one or more records in the first table.
5. Data Base types.
By default LibreOffice Base uses the HSQLDB database management system.
Like any database system, HSQLDB has a rich set of data types to choose from when building
your database. An understanding of the types and when you might, if ever, use them will help
you as you create your tables for your database projects.
HIGHLIGHTS
Before you create your first table, you need to think about the common database field types.
When you select a type for a field, you are presented with many options for the type. Many of
the types are identical, and are there for compatibility reasons.
Below you will have a look at five most important categories of data types in LibreOffice base:
integers, text, time, and others.
5.1 Integers
An integer is a whole number. There are four important integer types, and their differences are
mostly related to size.




TINYINT – the smallest of the integer types. Its size is 28. That is 1 to 256 if there are no
negatives, and -128 to 127 if there are negatives. You shouldn’t use this type unless you
can guarantee the numbers will always fall into this range.
SMALLINT – with a size of 216, this integer type gives you a little more breathing room.
If you don’t need negatives, you get 65,536, but if you need negatives, the range is 32,768 to 32,767. Like the TINYINT, make sure your numbers will fall into this range.
INTEGER or INT – the most commonly used integer type, with a size of 232. That’s
4,294,967,296 without negatives and -2,147,483,648 to 2,147,483,647 with negatives.
This is the type usually used for recording identities. You are pretty safe using this type
for most of your integer needs. The one exception is when you need extremely large
integer numbers.
BIGINT – rarely used. Size is 264 = big, enormous numbers (i.e. 1.84467440737 X
1019). Unless you are using some extremely big numbers (calculating the distance to
the next parallel world) or extremely small numbers (the size of a pit on an electron), you
will not ever need to use this type.
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5.2. Floating-Point.
Floating-point numbers are numbers with decimals, or real numbers. They are made of a whole
part and a partial part separated by a decimal point. There are four floating-point types. The
basic difference between them is the level of accuracy.


DECIMAL and NUMERIC – These types have an unlimited range. When you define
them, you specify the total numbers of digits (or places) allowed and the number of
those digits which will fall after the decimal point, i.e. “number” DECIMAL(10, 2) would
mean a field named number that has 10 places with two after the decimal point so that
the largest number for this definition is 99,999,999.99. The accuracy for DECIMAL and
NUMERIC is nearly perfect.
DOUBLE or REAL – These have a more limited range. A max of 15 decimal places.
Accuracy is not so good. If you just need an approximate number, these are okay. For
more precise calculations and better rounding, use DECIMAL or NUMERIC.
5.3. Text.
Text is a string of characters, not meant to represent a number or other type, enclosed in quotes.
There are four different text data types, and they differ mostly in how they consume space.

TEXT or VARCHAR –a variable length string of characters. With VARCHAR, you define
the max number of characters for the field, i.e. “name” VARCHAR(30) for a variable
named "name" that can have up to 30 characters. If you do not use all 30 characters, the
field will only use the needed space in the database.
5.4. Date/Time
These are types for defining fields that track the date and time. There are three types, and they
differ in the content they contain.



DATE – contains a date value. The format for date entry is YYYY-MM-DD, i.e. 2013-1029. (the exact format is location specific)
TIME – contains a clock time. The format for time uses a 24 hour clock, as HH:MM:SS,
ie 14:25:36 for 2:25:36 PM.
TIMESTAMP or DATETIME – a combination of both the date and the time. Once again
the time is in 24 hour clock format, as YYYY-MM-DD HH:MM:SS, i.e. 2013-10-29
14:25:36.
5.5. Other Types.
The types in this category are not really related. They just don’t fit in any of the above categories.

YES/NO or BOOLEAN – Think of a BOOLEAN as a three-state switch. You can turn it
on, TRUE, you can turn it off, FALSE, or you can put it in neutral, NULL. Though you will
find few needs for the NULL state, TRUE and FALSE states are handy for saying an
option is available or not, turned on or off.
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

BINARY, VARBINARY, LONGVARBINARY – These type are for storing binary data like
images. We won’t go into them too much today, but will revisit them at some point in the
future.
OTHER or OBJECT – You may not find much use for this type when working in
LibreOffice, but for completeness, OTHER and OBJECT are used to store serialized
Java objects.
There you have it, the data types of the HSQLDB database engine used by LibreOffice by
default. In later articles, we will use some of these data types to create tables for database
collections.
ACTIVITY: Web.
TASK: Start to practice the unit vocabulary with this activity 2.0. If you have the time, create
your own set of cards adding any additional information such as Catalan/Spanish translations or
images.
Database vocabulary. Unit 1
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