An organized collection of information. Database is a general
term. A database doesn't have to be electronic. For example, a stack of
3 x 5 index cards with addresses on them is considered a database. In this
class we are more interested in electronic databases. A database contains other objects such as tables, forms, and reports.
Table
Group of related records in a relational database. A table is defined
by the fields that make up a record.
Record
Group of related fields in a table. Every record of a database contains
the same fields.
Field
Smallest unit of information stored in a database. Examples are first
name, date-of-birth.
Field Name
Each field in a table has a field name. Field names are used to reference
the values in a record.
Field Value
The value in a field.
Query
You can use a query to select certain records from one or more tables.
A query can also be used as a source of records for forms and reports.
Form
A form is used to enter or view the information of one record.
Report
A document produced from the data in a database.
Macro
Sequence of instructions or actions you can specify. Macros allow you
to write programs that control user interaction and objects in your database.
(Macros are an advanced topic not covered in this course.)
Module
A collection of Visual Basic for Applications declarations and procedures.
(Modules are an advanced topic not covered in this course.)
Copyright 1997 by the Curators of the University
of Missouri
