Do you keep an address book or a list of important birthdays? Do you use a telephone directory or the indexes in your college textbooks? These are databases. They contain material or topics that are arranged in an orderly fashion to help you find information.
A database stores information in a format planned for future retrieval. A database is not necessarily related to computers or technology. Whether you realize it or not, you use databases on a regular basis. Basically, a database is a system that helps people access and manage information. Hopefully, it helps them manage that information quickly and efficiently.
In this module, you will learn the basics about databases. You will be able to demonstrate an understanding of why and how to use databases, how they store information so that it can be retrieved, and how they operate.
Once you finish this module you will be able to:
- identify the parts of a database
- understand how a database stores information
- understand how a database displays information
- understand how to manipulate a database, including the use of sorts and queries
- describe appropriate uses of a database
- understand database operations (e.g., entering data, data organization, data query, and reports)
Databases contain a defined structure consisting of files, records, and fields. Students interacting with databases need to understand this structure, as well as how the information within that structure can be manipulated.
To learn more about databases, read the information and complete the activities.
The materials for the iStudy for Success modules were originally developed at the Jack P. Royer Center for Learning and Academic Technologies.
Additional materials were developed and assistance was provided by the University Learning Centers (ULC), University Park.
The ANGEL version of the modules is being administered by TLT. For more information about iStudy for Success modules, please contact tlt@psu.edu.
The Pennsylvania State University ©2004 All rights reserved. Please read the entire license agreement before distributing the modules, and before modifying and sharing the content of the modules. This statement MUST accompany this module and all derivative works.