2.2.2+DB+and+SS+KEYTERMS+(y1)

toc For each term below, contribute a unique idea (a definition, an example, an image, a link to an article about the term, embed a video, or other information/media that helps us understand the term. Put 4 ~ next to your contribution so we know who added what. 1239685833
 * Databases and Spreadsheets Key Terms**

FIELD -

 * A group of cells that hold exactly one type of information 1240047260
 * Each discrete chunk of information in a database record. 1240141524
 * Helps organize data so that one field designates one particular item of information. 1240317131
 * In database management systems, a field can be //required,// //optional//, or //calculated 1240467444//
 * data that has several parts can be divided into **fields**. E.g. a computer may represent today's date as three fields: the day, the month and the year. Another example could be the common fields in library databases: author, title, journal title, abstract, publisher, date/year of publication, subject/descriptor. 1240639872
 * A field is a component of a database that holds only one kind of information. For example, a date field will only contain dates. user:philcao
 * [] 1240753827
 * [[image:http://img8.imageshack.us/img8/5802/86699793.png]]1240840967
 * Data writting in a field can be visually presented through a graph, pie chart, bar graph, line graph, etc. depending on the set of data.1240836361

KEY FIELD -

 * set of fields of a database table which together form a unique identifier for a database record (a table entry) 1240047260
 * Helps avoid problems such as duplicate records or conflicting values in fields. 1240317131
 * example : Student ID number 1240141524
 * You can sort and quickly retrieve information from a database by choosing one or more fields to act as //keys//. The database program will create an index containing just the key field contents. Using the index, you can quickly find any record by typing in the key fields. The database will locate the correct entry in the index and then display the full record. 1240841172
 * Key fields: ensure that each record in a table is precisely identified, help establish and enforce various types of integrity and serve to establish table relationships. (http://www.databasedev.co.uk/what_is_a_key.html) 1240639872
 * Key fields are typically found in relational databases. user:philcao
 * Key fields are also used maintain the structural integrity of your tables, helping you to avoid problems such as duplicate records and conflicting values in fields. 1240753827

RECORD -

 * A record holds all the information about an item or subject. 1240047260
 * A record can have several "fields" of types of information, but as a collective. 1240318155
 * Example: Address, phone number, email, age, date of birth of one person 1240141524
 * Example: In a record table that represents a list of companies, each record would represent a single company with its associated information according to the parameters set by the columns. 1240841448
 * Records are composed of //fields//, each of which contains one item of information.A set of records constitutes a //file//. 1240468129
 * [[image:cl_4.gif width="278" height="208"]](http://z.about.com/d/spreadsheets/1/5/K/0/-/-/cl_4.gif) 1240640192
 * A record is like a card of a book found in a physical library catalogue: it contains a set of information about a certain subject, in this case things like the ISBN, author, publication date, etc. of the book. user:philcao
 * A record contains all the information about a single 'member' of a table. In a students table, each student's details (name, date of birth, contact details, and so on) will be contained in its own record. Records are also known as //tuples//in technical parlance. 1240753827

SEARCH

 * [|http://www.sharewareplaza.com/images/screenshot/11018.gif] 1240047260
 * Looking for a specific record. A Search Engine can be used to locate information on the web 1240141524
 * In a database, a search can be an attempt to locate a specific field, record, or file. 1240318155
 * [] 1240469170
 * [[image:database_search_from_Library_home.JPG width="518" height="378"]]1240640442
 * Searches can consist of a number of queries, which allow the database to find information based on certain needs of the user. user:philcao
 * [] 1240753827
 * A search is a feature in which you search for certain information within a database. This makes organization much easier and faster, hence making data bases more reliable than regular pen and paper "data bases".
 * Searches may include search engines, which are found on the internet which is mostly used for finding all kinds of information. Searches may also include personal searching where you search for a date, name, number, etc that you personally stored in a private data base. 1240841711

QUERY

 * the primary mechanism for retrieving information from a database and consist of questions presented to the database in a predefined format.1240047260
 * A request for specific information from a database. A search on a database 1240141524
 * A view of database showing information from more than one table or category. 1240318155
 * [[image:http://www.cellica.com/images/pocketdbviewer/EditView2.Gif]]1240469170
 * There are three different ways of posing queries: Choosing parameters from a menu (the database system presents a list from which the user can choose). Query by example (the system presents a blank record, the the user has to specify the fields that define the query). Query Language (the database system requires the user to make requests for information in the form of a stylized query, written in a special //query language)//. 1240640954
 * A query is a request sent to the database based on certain required criteria, for example 'any name that starts with an S'. These queries can become very complex, and so a specific language is used to write these queries. This language is called SQL, or Structured Query Language. user:philcao 
 *  A view of your data showing information from one or more tables. For instance, using the sample database we used when describing **normalisation **, you could query the Students database asking "Show me the first and last names of the students who take both history and geography and have Alice Hernandez as their advisor" Such a query displays information from the Students table (firstname, lastname), Courses table (course description) and Advisor table (advisor name), using the keys (student ID, course ID, advisor ID) to find matching information. 1240753827
 *  Query:  A precise request for information retrieval with database and information systems 1240842077

SORT

 * An algorithm that puts elements (certain objects) in a certain order. 1240047260
 * An algorithm that manages databases in an unambiguous way. 1240318155
 * When records are arranged in alphabetic or numeric order based on values in one or more fields 1240141524
 * [] 1240468129
 * Sort: any process of arranging items in sequence or in sets. 1240842077
 * it is often useful for converting data and for producing human-readable output. 1240642387
 * Objects can be sorted by certain criteria, such as alphabetically, by date, size, etc. user:philcao
 * [] 1240754790
 * Sort: is to arrange records in an alphabetic or numeric order based on values on one or more fields, to the user's specific specification 1240829849



DATABASE

 * a collection of information organized into interrelated tables of data and specifications of data objects.1240047260
 * Structured collection of records or data that is stored in a computer system. The structure is achieved by organizing the data according to a database model. 1240141524
 * A database is different from a single table is that a table is a single store of related information, but a database can consist of several semi-related tables of information. 1240318155
 * An example of a database is the Government databases, which collect personal information for various reasons like social security and statistics. 1240642387
 * A database is a collection of structured information consisting of a number of different pieces of data which integrate together to form a cohesive record of information on a certain topic. user:philcao
 * Database: An organized body of related information. 1240842077
 * A collection of related information stored in a structured format. //Database// is often used interchangeably with the term **table.** However, a table is a single store of related information; a database can consist of //one or more tables// of information that are related in some way. 1240754790
 * an example of a big online database is www.imdb.com

MANAGEMENT SYSTEM

 * Computer software that manages databases. DBMSes may use any of a variety of database models, such as the network model or relational model. In large systems, a DBMS allows users and other software to store and retrieve data in a structured way. 1240047260
 * Management system is the framework of processes and procedures used to ensure that an organization can fulfill all tasks required 1240143130
 * Example: An environmental management system enables organizations to improve their environmental performance through a process of continuous improvement. 1240842077
 * A collection of programs that enables a person to enter, collect, organize, and select information from a database. Different management systems apply to a variety of areas, such as in library systems, teller machines or flight reservation information, which require different types of database management. 1240318876
 * Is a program that lets one or more computer users create and access data in a database . 1240468386
 * A DBMS has four main parts: modeling language, data structure, database query language, and transaction mechanisms. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Database_management_system) 1240642387
 * A program which lets you manage information in databases. Lotus Approach, Microsoft Access and FileMaker Pro, for example, are all DBMSs, although the term is often shortened to 'database'. 1240754790

MAIL MERGE

 * a software function describing the production of multiple (and potentially large numbers of) documents from a single template form and a structured data source.1240047260
 * Mail merge helps to create personalized letters and pre-addressed envelopes or mailing labels for mass mailings from a word processing document which contains fixed text, which will be the same in each output document, and variables, which act as placeholders that are replaced by text from the data source. The data source is typically a spreadsheet or a database which has a field or column matching each variable in the template. When the mail merge is run, the word processing system creates an output document for each row in the database, using the fixed text exactly as it appears in the template, but substituting the data variables in the template with the values from the matching columns. 1240842077
 * The process of combining a list (usually of addresses) into another document (usually a letter or envelope). 1240143130
 * Eg. Personalized letters, pre-addressed envelopes, mailing labels for mass mailings. 1240318876
 * [] 1240469170
 * [[image:mail-merge-toolkit-3.gif width="368" height="281"]] 1240642387
 * Mail merging software is used to send a large quantity of the same piece of mail to a many addresses. The data for mail merging is retrieved from databases, which store addresses, email-text, and so on. user:philcao
 * This helps to create personalized letters and pre-addressed envelopes or mailing labels for mass mailings from a word processing document which contains fixed text, which will be the same in each output document, and variables, which act as placeholders that are replaced by text from the data source.1240795295

FLAT-FILE DATABASE
> 1240642590
 * A database model (most commonly a table) that is encoded as a plain text file. 1240047260
 * An information structure that stores data in a simple two-dimensional format - for instance, an Excel spreadsheet that presents vocabulary items and their grammatical features. 1240143130
 * A flat file database describes any of various means to encode a database model (most commonly a table) as a plain text file. 1240842077
 * A database in a single table. 1240318876
 * [] 1240468386
 * An example of a Flat File datatbase model (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Flat_File_Model.jpg):
 * A flat-file database is a static table of informationuser:philcao
 * A database that consists of a single table. Lightweight database programs such as the database component in Microsoft Works are sometimes called 'flat-file managers' (or list managers) because they can only handle single-table databases. More powerful programs, such as FileMaker Pro, Access, Approach and Paradox, can handle multi-table databases, and are called relational database managers, or RDBMSs. 1240754790

RELATIONAL DATABASE

 * a database model based on first-order predicate logic.1240047260
 * An information structure that stores data in tables that can be linked to each other for cross-referencing - for instance, a table that presents vocabulary items and their grammatical features that is linked to a table that presents grammatical features and their definitions. 1240143130
 * A database with multiple tables. 1240318876
 * a type of database management system that stores data in the form of related tables 1240469170
 * Relational databases are often used when storing financial records, manufacturing and logistical information, personnel data etc. 1240643009
 * When entering information into a relational database, it need only be entered once. This value is then duplicated in all other tables,and changes universally whenever any instance of the value is changed. This means you only have to change the value once, even if it occurs in several different places. user:philcao
 * A program which lets you manage structured information stored in tablesand which can handle databases consisting of multiple tables. 1240754790
 * A relational database is a database that groups data using common attributes found in the data set. The resulting "clumps" of organized data are much easier for people to understand. 1240842077

CELL

 * A **"cell"** can be thought of as a box for holding a datum. A single cell is usually referenced by its column and row (A2 would represent the cell below containing the value 10). Its physical size can usually be tailored for its content by dragging its height or width at box intersections (or for entire columns or rows by dragging the column or rows headers). 1240048411
 * The intersection of a row and a column on the grid of a spread sheet. 1240144468
 * [[image:http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/dida/images/spreadsheet_cell.gif width="320" height="135" caption="Microsoft Excel - "B3" is a cell"]]1240318876
 * A cell may contain a formula defining how contents of that cell is to be calculated from contents of any other cell 1240643009
 * A cell is the smallest part of a table. Every cell has a unique address that consists of a letter and a number, which corresponds to its appropriate row and column. user:philcao
 * With the ability to alter an entire sheet automatically after a change to a single cell is made, spreadsheets are frequently used for financial information. 1240795295
 * A table cell is one grouping within a table. Cells are grouped horizontally (rows of cells) and vertically (columns of cells). Usually information on the top header of a table and side header will "meet" in the middle at a particular cell with information regarding the two headers it is collinear with. 1240842716

CELL FORMAT

 * A cell or range can optionally be defined to specify how the value is displayed. The default display format is usually set by its initial content if not specifically previously set, so that for example "31/12/2007" or "31 Jan 2007" would default to the cell format of "date". Similarly adding a % sign after a numeric value would tag the cell as a percentage cell format. The cell contents are not changed by this format, only the displayed value. 1240048411
 * "Numeric" or "currency" cell formats can specify number of decimals designated. 1240319275
 * [[image:excel_custom_cell_formats_dailog.gif width="293" height="281"]]http://phd.images.googlepages.com/excel_custom_cell_formats_dailog.gif 1240643650
 * Cell format determines how the cell is displayed. In Microsoft Excel, cell format types are split into different table functions, such as finance or accounting. user:philcao
 * All of the cell formatting commands can be reached through a context menu by right clicking on a cell and selecting the Format Cells... menu entry. This will open a dialog window with tabs which group together similar types of formatting. Clicking on the Font tab allows you to change the font family, style, size and colour.1240795295
 * Cell format which dictates how the data will be displayed, whether the cell will have borders and other information. Cell formatting can be quite confusing at first because it combines simple changes, such as the colour of the characters being displayed, with more complex ideas, such as how future changes to the cell will be interpreted. 1240842716

ROW

 * In the context of a relational database, a row—also called a record or tuple—represents a single, implicitly structured data item in a table. In simple terms, a database table can be thought of as consisting of rows and columns or fields. 1240048921
 * The horizontal divisions of a spreadsheet that intersect the vertical divisions to form cells. 1240144468
 * A series of items placed in a line. 1240842716
 * [[image:http://www.swivel.com/images/pantry/datarow.png?1185241066 width="333" height="193" caption="Microsoft Excel - A "row" is highlighted to show a "record""]]1240319275
 * An example of the use of row could be in a company, where each row would represent a single product. Columns might represent things like size, type and date of production etc. 1240643650
 * Each row in a table contains different information about a single subject, such as facts and figures about all the people in a sports team.
 * In Excel 2003, there are 65,536 rows in each worksheet. In Excel 2007, there are more than one million rows. 1240795295

COLUMN

 * In the context of a relational database table, a column is a set of data values of a particular simple type, one for each row of the table. The term "column" also has equivalent application in other, more generic contexts.1240048921
 * In an Excel workbook is designated as a letter or combination of letters. 1240144468
 * [[image:http://intranet.fammed.unc.edu/L1/training/Excel_Spreadsheet_Magic_The_basics_files/image006.gif width="325" height="271" caption="Microsoft Excel - Columns 'C' and 'D' indicated "]]1240319591
 * When defining companies columns could consists of: ID, Name, Address line 1, Address line 2, City, Postal code, Industry, etc. 1240643650
 * A set of data values of a particular type in a relational database 1240842716
 * Each column in a table contributes different values for a specific kind of information, such as the height of all people in a sports team.
 * In Excel, the column header is the grayish - colored row containing the letters used to identify each column in the worksheet. 1240795295
 * There are 16384 columns in Excel 2007. 1240836361

LABEL

 * A label is one of three data types in Excel and other spreadsheet programs. Labels are used for titles, headings, names, and for identifying columns of data. Labels can contain letters and numbers. By default, labels are left aligned in a cell. 1240591221
 * A label in a programming language is a sequence of characters that identifies a location within source code 1240144468
 * In a spreadsheet, it is any //descriptive// text put in a cell. 1240320136
 * [[image:labels_4.gif]]1240644626
 * Labels are not case sensitive in Excel formulas. It does not matter whether you type **N**umbers or **n**umbers as the label in the formula. 1240795295
 * Information tag attached to data so as to identify the object or its content. 1240842716

MACRO

 * A macro is an abbreviation for a set of commands, so instead of typing a complicated sequence of commands you can simply type the macro's name1240048921
 * A single computer instruction that results in a series of instructions in machine language 1240144468
 * You can use macros to enter frequently used words or phrases. For example, when writing a letter, a single key can contain all the keystrokes necessary for your 'name', 'address', and a code that generates the current 'date'. 1240320136
 * [] 1240469170
 * A macro specifies how a certain input sequence should be mapped to an output sequence.For example, a macro can be created that allows one to change the font type of all cells meeting certain criteria through one click. [|Here is a page] that explains how to create your own macro in Microsoft Excel 2007. user:philcao
 * A macro is a recording of each command and action you perform to complete a task. Then, whenever you need to carry out that task in your spreadsheets, you just run the macro instead. 1240795295
 * macro: a custom-designed embedded procedure program that automates tasks in an application program, such as a spreadsheet. 1240829560
 * A set of instructions that is represented in an abbreviated format 1240842716

REPLICATE

 * The creation and maintenance of multiple copies of the same database 1240077050
 * Replication is the process of sharing information so as to ensure consistency between redundant resources, such as software or hardware components, to improve reliability, fault-tolerance, or accessibility. 1240144468
 * Replication also serves for backup, in the case of a database going missing or corrupt. Spreadsheet programs allow for easy replication. 1240321307
 * There are 2 types of replication in spreadsheets: relative and absolute. 1240644626
 * When using a relative reference, the data will change according to the cells around it. Absolute is when you use dollar signs within the formula to ensure that the formulas do not change according. 1240795295

TEMPLATE -
> 1240644626
 * A template in a spreadsheet shows a set of cells that have been defined, but have not yet been supplied with data. 1240321307
 * Templates are pre-existing forms that include standard text and spaces to fill-in-the-blanks with standard information. Templates saves time since each person does not have to create the document format on their own. 1240144468
 * Templates can exist outside of spreadsheet programs as well. They allow the user to simply fill in any missing information into the pre-defined format. Templates are useful for those that do not have the time or expertise to create a professional looking document. user:philcao
 * An example of a template:
 * [] 1240795295
 * template: worksheets that contain labels and formulas but no data values. the template produces instant answers when you fill in the blanks 1240829560
 * The use of redundant resources to improve reliability, fault-tolerance, or performance 1240842716

WORKSHEET
> 1240644990
 * A single spreadsheet that contains rows and columns of data. In Excel, a worksheet will have a little white tab at the bottom of the screen. 1240144468
 * An "array" of cells. Worksheets can be within a single spreadsheet, in which the spreadsheet is simply divided and a worksheet is a subset of the spreadsheet. 1240321307
 * [] 1240469170
 * Example showing worksheets in Excel:
 * A worksheet is a single page or sheet in an Excel spreadsheet. By default, there are three worksheets per file. Switching between worksheets is done by clicking on the sheet tab at the bottom of the screen. 1240795295
 * In the Microsoft spreadsheet program Excel, a single document is known as a "workbook" and by default each workbook contains three arrays or "worksheets." One advantage of such programs is that they can contain formulas so that if one cell value is changed, the entire document is automatically updated, based on those formulas. Analysts, investors, and accountants track a company's financial statements, balance sheets, and other data on worksheets. Worksheets can be made with Microsoft Office Excel and other formula based software . 1240842716

"WHAT IF" QUESTIONS

 * What if questions can be used to find the most suitable value for a certain query. A spreadsheet program will often include an equation solver, in which all the user has to do is input certain values. They may then observed the equated value and create decisions based on the value given, such as optimum pricing for a product. user:philcao
 * Different computations or actions depending on whether a specified condition evaluates to the query. user:ZetaZero

ABSOLUTE & RELATIVE REFERENCE
1240644990
 * **Absolute reference:** A formulated cell reference that will not adjust when used to calculate the sum of specific cells. Most commonly used in spreadsheet applications.1240144468
 * A reference to a cell or group of cells that does not change. It usually points to constant values. 1240321307
 * When you copy a formula, you have the choice of making it relative or absolute. Relative references adjust to location. Absolute references remain constant regardless of location.


 * **<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Relative reference :** When writing a formula, a reference to a cell is normally a relative reference. When the formula is copied to another location, the formula within that cell is the same, relative to its position on the spreadsheet.1240144468
 * A reference to a cell or group of cells that is relative to another cell. 1240321307
 * When using a relative reference, the data will change according to the cells around it. Absolute is when you use dollar signs within the formula to ensure that the formulas do not change according. 1240795295
 * Absolute: The set address reference to a certain cell in the database. Relative: The location of the reference cell will change when copied to a different location accordingly. 1240842820