Data Handling

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This lesson will cover:

The importance of storing and processing data for modern organizations.

The benefits of electronic databases over paper-based databases and spreadsheets .

Different types of databases and the advantages they bring to organizations.

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Teacher’s notes included in the Notes Page Student task accompanies this slide Web addresses Functional Skills check Printable activity

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Why do we store data?

Storing and using

data

is an essential part of running a modern business or organization.

3 of 13 Why do organizations need to keep records?

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Commercial organizations

Commercial organizations store and manipulate data for sales, ordering, finance and producing models and forecasts.

Spreadsheets

can be used but they have some limitations: can be difficult to generate very complex search queries complicated to allow multiple users access to the same data don’t allow for sophisticated validation criteria to prevent erroneous entries more likely to produce duplicate or redundant records.

Databases

are very good for working with lots of data. 4 of 13 © Boardworks Ltd 2010

What are databases?

A

database

is any organized collection of related data and information. For example, your personal address book or telephone book is a database.

A database is made up of

tables

, which contain

records

sorted into

fields

.

Organizations that use databases are constantly retrieving and storing records about their staff, their customers and their finances.

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Electronic vs. paper databases

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Databases vs. spreadsheets

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Using databases

Organizations that use databases include: Schools Businesses Hospitals Police Libraries What databases might have your name in their records?

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Using databases

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Internet sales

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Flat file database

A

flat file database

is a database which has only one table, which is not linked to any other table.

It is a relatively simple database. An address book is an example of a flat file database. Spreadsheet software can be used to create flat file databases.

In contrast,

relational databases

use multiple tables to store information. They can then relate records on one table to records on another table, to produce a third table which displays this new data.

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Relational databases

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True or false?

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