Unit 3 Chap 9 & 10 (19 -29) Flashcards
What is data?
Raw facts & figures which haven’t been processed.
What is information?
Data with meaning added i.e. processed
Information =
Data + meaning
What should you consider when designing a data capture form? (7)
Leave enough space for answers
Make sure all necessary details are added
Layout should be simple & logical
Separate into parts if filled by 2+ people
Make sensible use of available space
Instructions should be clear with examples if appropriate
A clear title should describe its use
Why code data? (3)
Faster to type than full words
Faster for computer to form searches & sorts
Codes are designed to be unique
3 things to consider when designing codes
Should always be the same length
Must be easy to use & remember
Mustn’t be too short
2 problems with codes
Remembering what code represents
Staff may require training to use codes
What is a database?
2 examples
Colletcion of information
Pupil details in a school
Product details for a business
5 problems with databases on paper
Vast amounts of paper needed
Only 1 person at a time can use each document
Documents can get lost
Searching takes a long time
Gathering info from different docs takes ages
4 advantages with computer databases
Large amounts of data stored in a small space
Can search quickly
Less likely to be lost
More than 1 user can see data at 1 time
4 disadvantages with computer databases
Expensive to buy & install equipment
Collecting & setting up expensive
Staff need to be trained
If system fails you can’t access information
What do databases contain?
Records, divided into fields.
Data types? (4)
Text
Number
Date/time
Currency
Yes/No
AutoNumber
What does text consist of?
What is AutoNumber?
Letters, symbols & numbers (Alphanumeric)
Unique value generated by access for each different record
What is a primary key?
Unique value in each record
What is a datafile?
Example?
Collection of related records stored in table with field headings
Participant File
What is a record?
Example?
All the data connected with 1 item organised under field headings
Michael Alexander
What is a field?
Example?
The column which holds the data
Surname
What is a key field?
Example?
A field that uniquely identifies 1 record in a datafile/table
00053