Database Vocabulary Sheet

Term

What does it mean?

a structured set of data held in a
computer, especially one that is
accessible in various ways

Database
Tables

1.

In a database context, a form is a window or screen

that contains numerous fields, or spaces to enter
data. Each field holds a field label so that any user
who views the form gets an idea of its contents. A
form is more user friendly than generating queries
to create tables and insert data into fields.

Forms

Queries

In relational databases and flat

file databases, a table is a set of data elements
(values) using a model of vertical columns (which
are identified by their name) and horizontal rows,
the cell being the unit where a row and column
intersect. A table has a specified number of
columns, but can have any number of rows.

1.

Defining a query for a

relational database can be extremely simple or
very complex. If the query is based on one
matching condition, such as "retrieve all customers
who owe us more than $10,000," it is usually easy
todefine in a query language or program.

Reports
A database report is the formatted result of database
queries and contains useful data for decision-making and
analysis.
Most good business applications contain a built-in
reporting tool; this is simply a front-end interface that
calls or runs back-end database queries that are
formatted for easy application usage. For example, a
banking software application may contain specifically
defined reports on all customers with large deposits or
reports on monthly loan summaries for all customers.

Macros
Modules

A symbol, name, or key that represents a list of commands,

actions, or keystrokes. Many programs allow you to create
macros so that you can enter a single character or word to
perform a whole series of actions. Suppose, for example,
that you are editing a fileand want to indent every third line
five spaces.

A module is a separate unit of software

or hardware. Typical
characteristics of modular
components include portability,
which allows them to be used in a
variety of systems, and
interoperability, which allows them
to function with the components

of other systems. The term was

first used in architecture.

Field

A field is an area in a fixed or known

location in a unit of data such as a
record, message header, or
computer instruction that has a
purpose and usually a fixed size.
A record is a database entry that may contain
one or more values. Groups of records are
stored in a table, which defines what types
of data each record may contain. Databases
may contain multiple tables which may each
contain multiple records.
A data type is a type of data. Of course, that is
rather circular definition, and also not very
helpful. Therefore, a better definition of a data
type is a data storage format that can contain
a specific type or range of values.

Record

Data Type
Primary Key

1.

A primary key consists of a column or

columns whose value uniquely identifies a row.
There can only be one primary key per
table. Defining a primary key for a table, you
create a constraint on data in the table, which
ensures that any row in the table can be uniquely
identified by its key columns.

Is a unique identifier