Introduction+to+databases+IS

What is a database?
A [|database] is a system for organising and storing data. Databases can be manual systems (e.g. a filing cabinet), or computerised.

Databases are made up of a number of files. Files are a collection of [|records], and records are made up of [|fields].



Scholar Link: [|Traditional databases] Scholar Link: [|Problems with file based systems]

What is a DBMS?
[|DBMS] means database management system. A DBMS is the computer program which is used to store, modify and extract the data in a database.

Popular "off-the-shelf" DBMS include:
 * [|FileMaker Pro]
 * [|Microsoft Access]
 * [|DB2]
 * [|Oracle]

A DBMS might be bespoke. Examples might be
 * A flight reservation system
 * A patient records system
 * A computerised library system

Scholar Link: [|Database Management Systems] Scholar Link: Advantages of a DBMS

Flat-file database
A [|flat-file database] is a database structure which consists of only a single [|table]. While this is a simple way to store files, a flat-file system becomes increasingly inefficient as more data is added.

Task
Create a flat file database to store the details of all of the pupils in your class. The database should consist of the following fields: Forename Surname DOB Subject Teacher Room

To get data for this database, each member of the class needs to post these details on Edmodo. Subject should be any one of the subjects, you are taking this year.

In addition to all of the class data, you should also add the following 3 records: