HIT191 > Widgets & Gadgets: Basics
Basics

Access is an example of a relational database and is the most technical of the programs in the Microsoft Office Suite. In this topic both an introduction to relational databases and an overview of Access are given.

Later topics will then examine each of the following Access components: tables, relationships, queries, forms and reports.


Develop your skills - Basics

Rate your skills: Do you need to do this topic?
Unlike earlier modules, topics in this module do not have a skills self-assessment test. This is because:
  • Access has a reasonably complicated conceptual basis that you need to understand if you are to use Access proficiently. Thus it is important that you make sure you fully understand the early topics.
  • As you work through the topics in this module you will develop a video rental database. Thus later topics assume that you understand and have completed the earlier topics.

If you already have used Access you should find you can work through the early topics relatively quickly.


Skills

What is a relational database?
Almost every program, whether a game, a scientific or a business application, needs to store and manipulate data. For example, without information on customers, stock and staff, a business can't operate successfully. The most common tool to store and manipulate data is a relational database. As you work through the next reading you should get an overview of what a relational database is and what it offers.

TASK 1: Now that you have some understanding about a database, it is important that you learn about the components of a database.

  1. Using Webopedia, enter the search term Database to see another explanation. What are meant by the terms field and record?
  2. If you wished to store your address book in a database, what fields, records and tables would it contain?

In later topics we will then expand on the organisation of the data, the crux of a relational database.
 
Introducing Access
The next reading will give you an overview of Access. As you work through the chapter concentrate on understanding how tables, forms and reports work together to form a complete database product. Remember we will be returning to these ideas in subsequent chapters.


Stable 2007 textbook
Stable 2003 textbook

SET TEXT
Chapter 2
pp. 337-365
or
Chapter 2
pp. 343-364

TASK 2: Complete the Develop Your Skills 1, pp. 362. If you are still not feeling very confident complete Develop Your Skills 2 and 3, pp. 363-365.

Tips & tricks icon Tips & Tricks

Using keyboard movement and shortcut keys

Don't forget the importance of learning these. Try shortcuts you have learnt in other Office programs and you will usually find they work in a similar manner in Access. To help, download this handout provided and display it near your computer for easy look up.

Should you use a database or spreadsheet?

In Excel using data forms (covered in the Organising Data topic) you can create a simple database. This is a useful feature in Excel but it is limited and really only suitable for a database with one table. Don't fall into the trap of trying to create more complex databases in Excel.


What have I learned?

After completing these activities you should:
  • understand what a relational database is and what it does;
  • be able to recognize appropriate situations for databases use.

Next section --> Tables