A database is a structured, persistent collection of data that allows easy storage, retrieval and management of information.

Give two benefits of an electronic database.

It is easier to add, delete, modify and update data , data can be backed up and copied more easily , and multiple users from multiple locations can access it at the same time.

Name the two main types of database.

The two main types are flat file and relational .

Define flat file database .

A flat file database stores all data in a single table .

Give two drawbacks of a flat file database.

A flat file causes data redundancy , uses inefficient storage , is harder to maintain , and risks inconsistent data if a repeated value is not changed everywhere.

Define relational database .

A relational database organises data into multiple tables and uses keys to connect related data .

Give two benefits of a relational database.

A relational database reduces data redundancy , makes efficient use of storage and is easier to maintain .

How does a relational database avoid inconsistent data?

Each piece of data is stored only once , so changing one piece of data updates it in the entire database .

True or False? A flat file database stores data in multiple linked tables.

False. A flat file database stores all data in a single table . It is a relational database that uses multiple linked tables.

Define table in a database.

A table is a complete set of records about the same subject or topic in a database.

A record is a complete set of fields on a single entity in a table, shown as a row .

Why is repeating a tutor's name in every student row a problem?

It creates redundant data . If the tutor's name changed, every instance would need editing, and missing one would leave the table with inconsistent data .

A field is a single piece of data in a table , shown as a column .

What is the difference between a field and a record?

A field is a single piece of data, shown as a column , while a record is a group of related fields representing one data entry, shown as a row .

A data type is the type of data that can be held in a field , and is defined when designing a table.

Name four common data types.

Common data types are numeric (whole or decimal), character/string for text data, date/time , and Boolean for true or false values.

Which data type would be used for the price of a car?

The numeric data type would be used for a price.

True or False? A Boolean field stores true or false values.

True. The Boolean data type stores true or false values.

A primary key is a unique field that can be used to identify a record in a table .

A foreign key is a field in a table that refers to the primary key in another table .

What is a foreign key used for?

A foreign key is used to link tables and create relationships between them.

True or False? The same primary key value can appear on more than one record in a table.

False. A primary key is a unique field, so each record has its own primary key value.

An orders table contains a customer_id field. Which type of key is it?

It is a foreign key , because it refers to the primary key in the customers table and links an order back to the customer who made it.

State one benefit of using a relational database.

A relational database reduces data redundancy and reduces data inconsistency .

What two things can be used to perform calculations in a database?

Calculations use arithmetic operations or numeric functions .

Define calculated field .

A calculated field is a field that carries out a calculation based on other number fields in the database.

Give an example of a calculated field.

A stockvalue field could calculate unit_price multiplied by stock , which multiplies the price of each item by its quantity to find the total value of the stock .

Define calculated control .

A calculated control is an object placed on a form or report to display the result of an expression .

What happens to the result shown by a calculated control?

The result is displayed on the form but is not stored in the database .

Name the four basic arithmetic operations available in a database.

The four operations are addition , subtraction , multiplication and division .

True or False? FinalCost = TotalCost - Discount is an example of a subtraction operation.

True. Subtracting a discount field from the total cost is a subtraction operation performed at run time.

What are aggregate functions used for?

Aggregate functions calculate statistical information about a set of records .

Name the five aggregate functions.

The five aggregate functions are SUM , AVERAGE , MAX , MIN and COUNT .

Which aggregate function finds the highest number in a column?

MAX finds the highest number in a column, and MIN finds the lowest.

The SUM function adds together all the numbers in a .

The SUM function adds together all the numbers in a column .

Sorting is a database function that helps organise and present data in a meaningful way .

What is the difference between ascending and descending order?

Ascending sorts data from smallest to largest , such as A to Z or 1 to 100. Descending sorts from largest to smallest , such as Z to A or 100 to 1.

Give an example of sorting on a single criterion.

Sorting a list of customers into ascending order by their last names uses a single criterion.

Give an example of sorting on multiple criteria.

Sorting customers first by last name in ascending order, and then by city in descending order within each last name, uses multiple criteria.

Searching is the process of using keywords, phrases or criteria to find specific information within a database.

Searching in databases is typically done using .

Searching in databases is typically done using queries .

True or False? A query can only be based on a single criterion.

False. Queries can be based on a single criterion or multiple criteria .

What is the difference between the AND and OR operators?

AND returns true if both conditions are met , while OR returns true if at least one condition is met .

What does the NOT operator return?

NOT returns true if the condition is not met .

What is the LIKE operator used for?

LIKE returns true if the value matches a pattern , and is used with wildcards .

Name three comparison operators.

The comparison operators are > , = , .

What do the wildcard characters %, _ and * represent?

% represents zero, one or multiple characters , _ represents a single character , and \ represents all *.

Define database form .

A form is a tool used to capture data to be stored in a database .

Give two examples of a form.

An online form to sign up to a website , and filling in personal details on a mobile device to join a gym .

Name the five characteristics of good form design.

Good form design has simplicity , ease of use , an intuitive layout , clear labels and appropriate controls .

What does an intuitive layout mean on a form?

Related fields are grouped together and the sequence of fields follows a logical order .

IGCSEICTCambridge (CIE)Flashcards10. DatabasesCreate a Database Structure

Create a Database Structure (Cambridge (CIE) IGCSE ICT): Flashcards

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Cards in this collection (59)

Define database.
A database is a structured, persistent collection of data that allows easy storage, retrieval and management of information.
Give two benefits of an electronic database.
It is easier to add, delete, modify and update data, data can be backed up and copied more easily, and multiple users from multiple locations can access it at the same time.
Name the two main types of database.
The two main types are flat file and relational.
Define flat file database.
A flat file database stores all data in a single table.
Give two drawbacks of a flat file database.
A flat file causes data redundancy, uses inefficient storage, is harder to maintain, and risks inconsistent data if a repeated value is not changed everywhere.
Define relational database.
A relational database organises data into multiple tables and uses keys to connect related data.
Give two benefits of a relational database.
A relational database reduces data redundancy, makes efficient use of storage and is easier to maintain.
How does a relational database avoid inconsistent data?
Each piece of data is stored only once, so changing one piece of data updates it in the entire database.
True or False?
A flat file database stores data in multiple linked tables.
False.
A flat file database stores all data in a single table. It is a relational database that uses multiple linked tables.
Define table in a database.
A table is a complete set of records about the same subject or topic in a database.
Define record.
A record is a complete set of fields on a single entity in a table, shown as a row.
Why is repeating a tutor's name in every student row a problem?
It creates redundant data. If the tutor's name changed, every instance would need editing, and missing one would leave the table with inconsistent data.
Define field.
A field is a single piece of data in a table, shown as a column.
What is the difference between a field and a record?
A field is a single piece of data, shown as a column, while a record is a group of related fields representing one data entry, shown as a row.
Define data type.
A data type is the type of data that can be held in a field, and is defined when designing a table.
Name four common data types.
Common data types are numeric (whole or decimal), character/string for text data, date/time, and Boolean for true or false values.
Which data type would be used for the price of a car?
The numeric data type would be used for a price.
True or False?
A Boolean field stores true or false values.
True.
The Boolean data type stores true or false values.
Define primary key.
A primary key is a unique field that can be used to identify a record in a table.
Define foreign key.
A foreign key is a field in a table that refers to the primary key in another table.
What is a foreign key used for?
A foreign key is used to link tables and create relationships between them.
True or False?
The same primary key value can appear on more than one record in a table.
False.
A primary key is a unique field, so each record has its own primary key value.
An orders table contains a customer_id field. Which type of key is it?
It is a foreign key, because it refers to the primary key in the customers table and links an order back to the customer who made it.
State one benefit of using a relational database.
A relational database reduces data redundancy and reduces data inconsistency.
What two things can be used to perform calculations in a database?
Calculations use arithmetic operations or numeric functions.
Define calculated field.
A calculated field is a field that carries out a calculation based on other number fields in the database.
Give an example of a calculated field.
A stockvalue field could calculate unit_price multiplied by stock, which multiplies the price of each item by its quantity to find the total value of the stock.
Define calculated control.
A calculated control is an object placed on a form or report to display the result of an expression.
What happens to the result shown by a calculated control?
The result is displayed on the form but is not stored in the database.
Name the four basic arithmetic operations available in a database.
The four operations are addition, subtraction, multiplication and division.
True or False?
FinalCost = TotalCost - Discount is an example of a subtraction operation.
True.
Subtracting a discount field from the total cost is a subtraction operation performed at run time.
What are aggregate functions used for?
Aggregate functions calculate statistical information about a set of records.
Name the five aggregate functions.
The five aggregate functions are SUM, AVERAGE, MAX, MIN and COUNT.
Which aggregate function finds the highest number in a column?
MAX finds the highest number in a column, and MIN finds the lowest.
The SUM function adds together all the numbers in a .
The SUM function adds together all the numbers in a column.
Define sorting.
Sorting is a database function that helps organise and present data in a meaningful way.
What is the difference between ascending and descending order?
Ascending sorts data from smallest to largest, such as A to Z or 1 to 100. Descending sorts from largest to smallest, such as Z to A or 100 to 1.
Give an example of sorting on a single criterion.
Sorting a list of customers into ascending order by their last names uses a single criterion.
Give an example of sorting on multiple criteria.
Sorting customers first by last name in ascending order, and then by city in descending order within each last name, uses multiple criteria.
Define searching.
Searching is the process of using keywords, phrases or criteria to find specific information within a database.
Searching in databases is typically done using .
Searching in databases is typically done using queries.
True or False?
A query can only be based on a single criterion.
False.
Queries can be based on a single criterion or multiple criteria.
What is the difference between the AND and OR operators?
AND returns true if both conditions are met, while OR returns true if at least one condition is met.
What does the NOT operator return?
NOT returns true if the condition is not met.
What is the LIKE operator used for?
LIKE returns true if the value matches a pattern, and is used with wildcards.
Name three comparison operators.
The comparison operators are >, <, =, >=, <= and <>.
What do the wildcard characters %, _ and * represent?
% represents zero, one or multiple characters, _ represents a single character, and \ represents all*.
Define database form.
A form is a tool used to capture data to be stored in a database.
Give two examples of a form.
An online form to sign up to a website, and filling in personal details on a mobile device to join a gym.
Name the five characteristics of good form design.
Good form design has simplicity, ease of use, an intuitive layout, clear labels and appropriate controls.
What does an intuitive layout mean on a form?
Related fields are grouped together and the sequence of fields follows a logical order.
Why should each field on a form have a clear label?
A clear, concise label indicates what information is expected in that field.
Name three control elements used on a form.
Controls include radio buttons, check boxes, drop-down menus, a submit button, a save button, and next and previous record buttons.
When are radio buttons used?
Radio buttons are used when there is a list of two or more options that are mutually exclusive.
When are check boxes used?
Check boxes are used when the user can select multiple options from a list.
When are drop-down menus used?
Drop-down menus are used when you want to provide many options but conserve space.
True or False?
Check boxes should be used when the options are mutually exclusive.
False.
Radio buttons are used for mutually exclusive options. Check boxes are used when the user can select multiple options.
Why is white space important on a form?
White space improves readability and reduces cognitive load.
What should be considered about fonts on a data entry form?
Choose appropriate font styles and sizes, aiming for consistency and readability.

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