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What is a Database?

Module by: Mary Wright. E-mail the author

Summary: This is the first of a three-part series of workshops that serve as a general introduction to Microsoft's Access 2003 database program. In Part I we will learn how to create a database to manage your personal multimedia collection. You may bring a list of the DVDs, CDs, MP3s, VHS tapes, and audio cassettes you want to organize to class. These courses are designed for adults with some computer experience but little or no previous database experience.

DEFINITION: Database

According to ENCYCLOPAEDIA BRITANICA, it is also called an "electronic database." Primarily, a database is "any collection of data, or information, that is specially organized for rapid search and retrieval by a computer."

"A database is stored as a file or a set of files on magnetic disk or tape, optical disk, or some other secondary storage device. The information in these files may be broken down into records, each of which consists of one or more fields."

"Fields are the basic units of data storage, and each field typically contains information pertaining to one aspect or attribute of the entity described by the database."

"Records are also organized into tables that include information about relationships between its various fields."

"Databases are structured to facilitate the storage, retrieval, modification, and deletion of data in conjunction with various data-processing operations."

"Typical examples of databases include employee records and product catalogs."

Note:

See also, computer science: Information systems and databases; information processing.

Exercise 1

Any collection of data, or information, that is specially organized for rapid search and retrieval by a computer is called a/an

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Exercise 2

A basic unit of data storage is called a/an

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Exercise 3

A/An ____________ contains one or more fields.

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Exercise 4

A/An_________ contains one or more records.

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Exercise 5

Can you name a popular database application?

[ Show Solution ]

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Definition of a lens

Lenses

A lens is a custom view of the content in the repository. You can think of it as a fancy kind of list that will let you see content through the eyes of organizations and people you trust.

What is in a lens?

Lens makers point to materials (modules and collections), creating a guide that includes their own comments and descriptive tags about the content.

Who can create a lens?

Any individual member, a community, or a respected organization.

What are tags? tag icon

Tags are descriptors added by lens makers to help label content, attaching a vocabulary that is meaningful in the context of the lens.

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'My Favorites' is a special kind of lens which you can use to bookmark modules and collections. 'My Favorites' can only be seen by you, and collections saved in 'My Favorites' can remember the last module you were on. You need an account to use 'My Favorites'.

| A lens I own (?)

Definition of a lens

Lenses

A lens is a custom view of the content in the repository. You can think of it as a fancy kind of list that will let you see content through the eyes of organizations and people you trust.

What is in a lens?

Lens makers point to materials (modules and collections), creating a guide that includes their own comments and descriptive tags about the content.

Who can create a lens?

Any individual member, a community, or a respected organization.

What are tags? tag icon

Tags are descriptors added by lens makers to help label content, attaching a vocabulary that is meaningful in the context of the lens.

| External bookmarks

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