Year 11 - Computing
Database fundamentals
Databases and SQL
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This pupil-friendly study guide includes a unit summary, clear notes, common mistakes, and quick questions with answers.
Unit Summary
This unit introduces pupils to databases and SQL, they will explore the key terms used in a database and why relational databases are used to eliminate the redundancy that can occur in a flat file database. They will explore SQL commands to retrieve, update, and delete data in a relational database.
Lesson Summary
You will learn to describe the difference between a flat file and relational database.
Key Notes
- Data is fundamental to any computer system.
- With data comes the need for a system that is able to store, sort, and search through it.
- A database is an organised collection of data.
- Databases can be as simple as a single file, and as complex as a set of related tables, each with fields and keys.
Vocabulary To Learn
- record: a data structure that stores related fields of data for a single object or being
- field: the part of a record which are the category headings for data in a table sometimes called an attribute
- primary key: an attribute that uniquely identifies a record in a database table
- foreign key: an attribute in one table that is the primary key in another table and is used to link the tables together
Common Mistakes To Avoid
- A primary key and a foreign key are the same thing.
3 Quick Questions (With Answers)
1. Describe the system or process from this lesson in clear steps.
Data is fundamental to any computer system. With data comes the need for a system that is able to store, sort, and search through it.
2. Define this computing term and give one practical example. 'record'
a data structure that stores related fields of data for a single object or being. Add one real device or system example to prove understanding.
3. Correct this common computing misconception.
Mistake: A primary key and a foreign key are the same thing. Correction: A primary key is an attribute that uniquely identifies a record in a database table, whereas a foreign key is an attribute in one table that is the primary key in another table and is used to link the tables together.
More Lessons In This Unit
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