Database Definitions

This is a simple activity whereby you can demonstrate your grasp of terms commonly used when referring to databases. Sites such as www.webopedia.com will be very useful in completing this activity.

1. Provide a basic definition for each of the following terms;

FIELD-A part of a record, representing an item of data

RECORD- An account of an act or occurrence kept in writing or some other permanent form

FILE- A collection of data

QUERY- Questions asked.
(A word, phrase or group of words characterizing the information a user seeks from search engines and directories.)

DATABASE-A structured set of data held in a computer, esp. one that is accessible in various ways

REPORT-Give a spoken or written account of something that one has observed, heard, done, or investigated
DBMS-Database management system

DATA -Facts and statistics collected together for reference or analysis

DICTIONARY-A reference book on any subject, the items of which are arranged in alphabetical order

DATATYPE-A particular kind of data item, as defined by the values it can take, the programming language used, or the operations that can be performed on it

2. Illustrate, with the aid of a table or diagram, what is a file, record and field. Use the example of a database of music containing album titles, song titles, artists, genre etc. (hint: you could use excel to create a simple  grid and take a screen shot)

2. List as many commonly used databases as you think of – you should be able to come up with at least five.

- yellow pages

-where is

-google maps

- white pages

- Wolfram Alpha