DATA HANDLING PROJECT
 Click here to change version
COMPUTER
EXPERIENCE
OF PUPILS
ENTERING
YEAR 7

Page 1
 Page 2
Page 3
Page 4
Page 5
 Mark scheme
Close

Helpsheets - new window Program Helpsheets
Back to IT Back to
GCSE ICT

 

CREATING A DATABASE
  1. Look at the sample questionnaire (which will load into a separate window on your screen) and decide on a suitable fieldname for the data that each question provides.
  2. Load your data handling program and create a new data file with the title or filename: Y7data. Enter the fieldnames when prompted to do so. There is no need to give an explanation for each field.
  3. Start entering the data from the questionnaire making sure that you have only 1 record (or row) when you have finished. Save your data file (Y7data) and print the data to show it in record layout. Label this 1 - My first attempt.
  4. Now it isn't quite that simple! We have about 200 records to enter. You need to look again at the questionnaire and totally rethink what you type into your database by considering the following factors:
  • Everyone must use exactly the same field names, in the same order, so that we will be able to join all the files together later.
  • It is also a good idea to keep the fields as narrow as possible to save memory and enable faster processing. Also, it might then be possible to print it in table layout, exactly as it is shown on your screen.
  • Mistakes or inconsistencies made by the typist can be a real nuisance when searching for information, eg. St Johns is not the same as St.Johns or St John's. Also, there may be as many as 200 records to be entered so it is important to keep the amount of typing to an absolute minimum.
  • The first four fields should have the data type set to number and all the other fields set to text. The reason for this will become clear later.
  1. Edit the fields and the data to make the necessary changes to your database - see the help sheet for the program you are using.
  2. Save your data again and print it in table layout form. Label this 2 - Simplified database using codes and write a brief note on it to explain both what you have done and why.

previous pagetop of pagenext page

Page last updated 23/05/2003 © Copyright, I.D.Lee, Didcot Girls' School.
All rights reserved. The original material provided on this site may not be copied or redistributed without written consent from the school. But please feel free to add a link to this page on your own website if you find it useful.