Databases

Unit 1: Introducing the Database

Lesson 1: Creating and Saving a Database

What preparations are necessary before you create a database?

Creating a database is a bit different from creating a word processing or spreadsheet document. You can start a word processing or spreadsheet document without much thought. If you decide to change the content or purpose of your document, it's easy to go back later and make changes.

A database, once created, is less malleable. Once you create a database you are committed to the initial structure or schema you specify. Because of this, it's important to spend some time planning before you put fingers to keyboard.

Just as there is no sequence of steps you can follow to write an award winning essay, there is no sequence of activities that will guarantee a good database design.

Your preparations for creating a database should include:

1. Thinking about what information you want to store.
2. Thinking about how you will use the information. Do you need printed reports? Do you need the ability to search the database for specific information?
3. Thinking about how you will enter the data into your database. Will the data come from an existing paper form?

Your understanding of these issues will lead to a good schema design. If you haven't already read it, now is a good time to read the concept on schema design.

For more information see the Help topic "Databases: What they are and how they work." To find this topic:

1. Select the Contents and Index command from the Help menu.
2. Select the Contents tab and open the book "Creating a Database and Working in the Database Window."
3. Double-click topic: "Databases: What they are and how they work."

You should also read "Designing databases." (The next topic in the book you just opened.)