Types of Database | IGCSE Information and Communication Technology Preparation - Year 11 PDF Download

Flat File Database & Relational Database

• A database is an organized collection of data that allows for quick searching, sorting, filtering, and analysis.
• Data in a database can encompass various forms such as text, images, videos, and sound.
• Databases utilize tables to house data, with each table consisting of records represented by individual rows.
• For instance, consider a customer table containing records for different customers, each record segmented into fields like CustomerID, FirstName, LastName, DOB, and Phone Number.

Fields are represented by the columns in a table:

• There are 5 fields in the customer table
• The first row in a table contains the field names, which serve as headings for the data stored in those fields
• Each field in a table is associated with a data type that specifies the kind of data allowed in that field

Data Types

Import Data and Create Tables

• Data Import from Existing Files: You have the ability to bring in data from files such as .csv or .txt formats.
• Table Creation with Specified Field Names: By utilizing specific field names, you can generate tables for organizing data.

Field Data Types in Tables

• Understanding Data Types: Each field within a table is associated with a specific data type, such as text/alphanumeric, character, boolean, integer, real, and date/time.
• Example: If you assign the data type 'Integer' to a phone number, the initial 0 might be removed.
• Explanation: Phone numbers typically require the text/alphanumeric data type due to their initial 0.

Database Data Types

Setting Data Types and Sub-Types

• You have the ability to assign suitable data types to fields within a database.
• You can specify sub-types of numeric data such as percentages and the number of decimal places.

Setting Display Formats

• You can define how Boolean/logical fields are displayed, choosing between options like Yes/No, True/False, and Checkbox.
  • Options include Yes/No, True/False, and Checkbox.
• You can determine the display format for date/time data entries.