Database

A database is a structured collection of data that allows people to extract information in a way that meets their needs.

What are databases used for?

To store information about people, for instance:

» patients in a hospital

» pupils at a school.

To store information about things, for instance:

» cars to be sold

» books in a library.

To store information about events, for instance:

» hotel bookings

» results of races.

Fields and records – the building blocks for any database

A table contains data about one type of item or person or event, and will be given a meaningful name, for example:

» a table of patients called PATIENT.

» a table of books called BOOK.

» a table of doctor’s appointments called APPOINTMENT.