Kexi/Handbook/Introduction to Databases/What Is a Database?: Difference between revisions

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===What Is a Database?===
===What Is a Database?=== <!--T:1-->


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You can define a database as a collection of data on one topic. It is organised in a way allowing to easily browse the information, make changes or add new items.  
You can define a database as a collection of data on one topic. It is organised in a way allowing to easily browse the information, make changes or add new items.  


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Look at this diagram for one of the above examples: a simple phone book.
Look at this diagram for one of the above examples: a simple phone book.
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[[Image:contact-example.png|172px|center]]
[[Image:contact-example.png|172px|center]]
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The above picture shows a set of two contacts each of which is presented on a separate card. It appears that such a card can constitute a single row in a table:  
The above picture shows a set of two contacts each of which is presented on a separate card. It appears that such a card can constitute a single row in a table:  


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{|class="tablecenter" style="border: 1px solid grey;"
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Terms and definitions: A single data which constitutes a part of a greater collection can be called a ''row'' or more professionally a ''record''. The collection is normally called a ''table''. Moreover, the most natural name for the table is one describing the data it offers/stores which is Contacts. Furthermore, each row in the table consists of columns often also called ''fields''. In the table '''''Contacts''''' there are two columns (fields): '''Name''' and '''Tel No.'''.  
Terms and definitions: A single data which constitutes a part of a greater collection can be called a ''row'' or more professionally a ''record''. The collection is normally called a ''table''. Moreover, the most natural name for the table is one describing the data it offers/stores which is Contacts. Furthermore, each row in the table consists of columns often also called ''fields''. In the table '''''Contacts''''' there are two columns (fields): '''Name''' and '''Tel No.'''.  


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For simple uses a single table can make up a database. Many people consider these two equivalent. As you will see, for real databases we usually need more than one table.  
For simple uses a single table can make up a database. Many people consider these two equivalent. As you will see, for real databases we usually need more than one table.  


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To sum up, you have already got a simple database with one table '''''Contacts'''''.
To sum up, you have already got a simple database with one table '''''Contacts'''''.


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{{Note|1=Check content at [https://www.zoho.com/creator/database-software-vs-spreadsheet.html www.zoho.com/creator/database-software-vs-spreadsheet.html]}}
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[[Category:Tutorials]]
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Latest revision as of 17:01, 7 April 2012

Other languages:

What Is a Database?

You can define a database as a collection of data on one topic. It is organised in a way allowing to easily browse the information, make changes or add new items.

Look at this diagram for one of the above examples: a simple phone book.

The above picture shows a set of two contacts each of which is presented on a separate card. It appears that such a card can constitute a single row in a table:

Contacts table
Name Tel No.
Joan 699 23 43 12
Adam 711 19 77 21

Terms and definitions: A single data which constitutes a part of a greater collection can be called a row or more professionally a record. The collection is normally called a table. Moreover, the most natural name for the table is one describing the data it offers/stores which is Contacts. Furthermore, each row in the table consists of columns often also called fields. In the table Contacts there are two columns (fields): Name and Tel No..

For simple uses a single table can make up a database. Many people consider these two equivalent. As you will see, for real databases we usually need more than one table.

To sum up, you have already got a simple database with one table Contacts.


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