BTEC 2012

Unit 1 The Online World

Name: .

Lesson 11 Data Storage

Starter What is meant by data storage? Data storage is a general term for archiving data in
electromagnetic or other forms for use by a computer or device.

1. What is a database structure made out of? Databases are organized by fields, records and files.
2. Field - this is a single piece of data such as name, date of birth or telephone number
3. Record - this is one complete set of fields, for example one pupil's school record
4. File - this is a collection of records, for example a school database

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5. Explain what is meant be each of the following terms.
Table is a set of data elements (values) using a model of vertical columns (identifiable by name) and horizontal
rows, the cell being the unit where a row and column intersect.
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Record- this is one complete set of fields, for example one pupil's school record
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Field this is a single piece of data such as name, date of birth or telephone number
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Relationship
A relationship works by matching data in key columns, usually columns (or fields) that have the same name in
both tables. In most cases, the relationship connects the primary key, or the unique identifier column for each
row, from one table to a field in another table.....................................
Data Type
When you are about to set up a database, you need to think about the 'data type' which you will use for each field

6. Name the various data types that are used in databases.

I.
Text..
II.
Number..
III.
Currency..
IV.
Date/Time..
Databases use relationships to link different tables together as shown below.

BTEC 2012
Unit 1 The Online World

Name: .

7. What is a primary key? Primary key, also called a primary keyword, is a key in a relational database that is
unique for each record. It is a unique identifier, such as a driver license number, telephone number (including
area code),

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8. What is a foreign key? In context of relational databases, a foreign key is a field (or collection of fields) in one
table that uniquely identifies a row of another table. In simpler words, the foreign key is defined in a second
table, but it refers to the primary key in the first table

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9. What kind of relationships can tables have between each other?
In a one-to-one relationship, each row in one database table is linked to one and only one other row in
another table. In a one-to-one

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Online databases are databases which are accessible using a network, including the internet. They are
very different to local databases as they have to be accessed, and possibly updated, by millions of
users. Normally these databases will have thousands of rows of information. Usually information is
found in online databases by using a search engine.
10. How might an online database be used?
When a database holds details about people, it's likely to include their first name, surname and
their date of birth. In addition to this, specialist information is stored depending on the database's
intended use

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11. What is a DBMS? What does it do?

BTEC 2012
Unit 1 The Online World

Name: .

DBMS, is a computer software program that is designed as the means of managing all databases that are currently
installed on a system hard drive or network. Different types of database management systems exist, with some of
them designed for the oversight and proper control of databases that are configured for specific purposes.
12. Name some common database management systems that are used:

MySQL, PostgreSQL, Microsoft SQL Server, Oracle, Sybase and IBM DB2
Plenary What is the difference between a database and a database management system?
Database is an organised collection of data or information so that it can be easily accessed, updated or
manipulated.
Database management system (DBMS) is a software that manages database on a computer. Eg.
microsoft access, MySQL, oracle etc.