KINDS OF DATABASESSTRUCTURED DATABASE also called the structured data which a record or file of information is arranged in uniform format.FREE-FORM DATABASE it is a loose collection of information like the one in the World Wide Web. A collection of documents in the computer made from several programs.TYPES OF DATABASESOperational Database it is a dynamic database that is used by any organization in its day to day operation. They are used to collect data, maintain, modify and delete data.Analytical Database It is a static database, wherein data is rarely modified. This database is often used to store and track historical data to make long term projections and analysis.STRUCTURED DATABASE MODELS1. Hierarchical Model2. Network Model3. Relational Model4. Entity-Relational Model5. Dimensional Model6. Object-oriented ModelTHINGS YOU CAN DO WITH RELATIONAL DATABASE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM ( RDBMS)1. Create a database2. Information storage3. Information retrieval4. Information management5. Information analysis6. Print and share informationQualities of a good database information1. Accurate2. Organized3. Timely4. Verifiable5. Accessible6. Economical7. UsefulRelational Database Terminologies1. Data- it is a number or value found and stored in a database2. Information- it is a data that has been processed thereby making it relevant and meaningful to the person viewing it.3. Null It is used to represent a value that is known or missing. The null value is either zero nor blank.4. Table it is the main structure in the relational database composed of attributes(fields) and domain ( records ).5. File It is an organized collection of data about an entity.6. Record It refers to a specific person, place, thing or event. It is also known as tuple in the relational database.7. Field It is the smallest structure of a data from a larger database structure in a relational database.8. View It is also known as a virtual table. It is also called the virtual table since it does not hold data on its own; rather it gets data from the table to which it is based.9. Keys These are fields that serve specific purposes within a table. There are two types of keys namely; Primary Key and the Foreign Key.a. Primary Key is a field that uniquely identifies a record in a tableb. Foreign Key is a special field that establishes relationship between two tables.10. Relationships they exist when two or more tables have connection or association.

Relationships- in relational database exist when two or more tables are connected by the following conditions:1. Primary Key2. Foreign Key3. Linking table is a table that establishes a connection between two or more tables.Types of Relationships1. One-to-one relationships2. One-to-many relationships3. Many-to-many relationships

Designing a Database1. Define the purpose of your database. Consider the questions or queries you may want to answer about the stored data.2. Determine the tables that you need in the database.3. Determine the fields that you need in the database.4. Identify unique field values that will allow access to connect information stored in a separate table.5. Determine the relationships between tables. A relationship works by matching data in the key fields which is usually a field with the same name in both tables;6. Test the design by entering the sample data. Check that you can run a query on the database and get the information you want.Characteristics of a Well Designed Database1. Modifying data is easy.2. Retrieving information is easy.3. Developing and building user application is easy.4. Maintaining the structure is easy.5. Adding and deleting data is easy.Database design to avoid1. Spreadsheet design2. Spreadsheet view3. Building a database design in the database software.

MS Access Screen ElementsTerm Description

Title Bar -Shows the name of the program and the file menu.Menu Bar- Displays the menu such as File, Edit, View, Insert, Format, Records, Tools, Window, Help.

Database Toolbar-displays the icons of commands such as New, Open, Save, File Search, Print, PrintPreview, Spelling, Cut, Copy, Paste, Undo, Office Links, Analyze, Code, Script Editor, Properties, Relationships, New Object, Autoform, Help.Objects Bar-Contains menus to create and modify tables, queries, Forms, Reports, Pages, Macros, Modules.

Task Pane-Displays the getting started commands, the open files and create new files options.Control Buttons-Allows you to minimize, maximize, restore the window and close the MS Access program.

Database ToolbarNew-creates a new databaseOpen-Opens an existing databaseSave-Saves the current databaseFile Search-Allows you to search the titles, contents,of MS Office files, MS Outlook items andWeb pagesPrint-Prints your database directly to the installed Printer.Preview-Allows you to view or look over the database to make adjustments before printing.Spelling-checks the spelling of words in the whole DatabaseCut-removes data from and to another Location Inside the database or to other files.Copy-Copies data that needs to be placed to Another location inside the database or to other file.Paste-Places the data cut or copied to a specified location inside the database or to other files.Undo-Displays the previous actions made to a Database.