Database Definition

What is a Database?

 The Database Definition is a systemised collection of information that can be accessed immediately and manipulated to retrieve data, by a data-processing system for a specific purpose.
         Remember, that you enter information into your system and it is data that is retrieved.... What is a Database?... Simply put, Information goes in, Data comes out.
           I like to think of a Database Definition as a Data Information Bank, a place where you store your information, the same like a bank, where you store your hard earned cash. Once you define the database structure then you have a better understanding of how it all connects together. Once you grasp the Database Definition then you are ready for the next step. Databases are a system for collecting imformation that is implemented to organise, sort and retrieve large amounts of data efficiently and effortlessly. It consists of an orgnised collection of data for one or more uses.
          Databases are managed using a (DBMS) Database Management System, A Database Management Definition is to store information, allowing data creation and the return of results in search criteria, that can then be used to create forms and reports. Databases can store any kind of information you like such as information for people, products, orders, objects, drawings, documents and the list goes on. Most people start off recording their information in spreadsheets, as spreadsheets can be more fexible to use and work with. But as the list grows bigger and bigger it then becomes harder to keep track of, you then find redundancies and information that is inconsitent begin to arise, resulting in loss of integrity, causing slow performance levels and inaccuracies of resulting data. The data then becomes harder to search and is difficult to pull subsets of data out for review. When this starts to happen, then you know its time to start up and manage a (DBMS) Database Management System.

            There are different types of Database Management Systems (DBMS) and if your familiar with Excel and its spreadsheets then yep! thats a type of database, the bookmarks in your "my favourites" in your web browser is a kind of database, but the most commonly used is (RDBMS) Relational Database Management Systems. What is a RDBMS? A Relational Database Definition, is to store the information in tables, and each table is "related" to one subject and one subject only, hence the term "Relational", but don't panic, you can have more than one table, you can have mulitple tables that you can then link together. Most people beleive that since you can link these tables together, that that is why it is called a "Relational Database" because you can relate (link) two or more tables together, but that is not the case. But we will go more into linking tables later under the table tab.

           You can also split the database into two sections, into a Front End and Back End. The Front End that contains the application objects, such as the queries, forms, reports, macros and modules, and is linked to the Back End which stores the tables with the data. The Back End can be stored in a location shared by many users, such as a server and the Front End is used on the users desktop and linked to the shared Back End.
            To add to your Database Definition a database consists of tables, queries, forms and reports. It also has SQL which stands for Structured Query Language, this is the language or programming behind the queries, that retrieves your data for a specific purpose. You will also find VBA that represents Visual Basic Applications, which is the code or programming that runs behind your applications and macros. A perfect example of this is to think of it like your windows on your computer or laptop, there is code running behind your windows application in order for you to see that window, hence VBA.

            What!!...You say?... What was all that?... Relax and Dont Panic...

            It is important to understand the database definition so you can build on a solid foundation. I will take you through all of the above step by step. We will go into more depth about SQL, VBA and Macros later. First lets start at the beginning, at the Tables, we must "Design the Structure of your Tables" before we can create the tables.

           Please click on the "Table button" below to continue or alternatively you may click on the "Table" tab on the left Navigation Column.