What
Is A Computer Database?
A
word processor lets you create a document much like the drawing
program, except mainly with words. Again,you can print it out, paste
the information into another document or save it.
A spreadsheet allows you to
create a template that you can enter numbers in and other results can
be computed. You may occasionally go back and enter new data and a
new results calculated. But, like the drawing program and word
processor it too is fairly inert.
A computer database is, as the
name implies, a collection of data stored within a computer. It is
like an electronic file cabinet full of documents. What makes
computer databases useful is the ease with which the data can be
entered, stored and manipulated.
Unique data needs to be
entered only one time. From then on it can be used to create lists,
summaries, reports, letters, labels and many other things limited
mainly by the imagination of the user.
Before data can be entered
into a database, the database must be designed. A layout or set of
layouts, some times called templates, are created. Within these
layouts are data fields. Usually a label is associated with each data
field. The data fields can be text type, number type, date type, time
type, picture/sound/movie type, calculation type or summary type. The
calculation and summary fields result from other data and data cannot
be directly entered into these fields.
A computer database is a
unique animal. As Guy Kawasaki says in his book DATABASE 101, "You
may find this weird, but there is one more way to define a database.
It's like an electronic pet&emdash;like a loyal and affectionate
cat or dog. Unlike most other computer programs, a database is a
living organism. It grows and requires nurture and care." He
concludes with "When you are "one" with your database,
you'll enter information into it every day. It will make you more
productive and creative. You'll come to think of it more as a pet
than as a thing&emdash;Zen and the Art of Database Management."
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