Relational database elements

Acc 305: Advanced AIS

Dr. Bob Hurt, C.F.E.

Outline
Expected outcomes
Tables
Queries
Forms
Reports
References:
eBook Ch. 7 section on database design.
Journal of Accountancy articles.

Expected outcomes
Youll be ready for exam questions on this
material when you can:
List and discuss four common elements of
relational databases.
Define key terms related to relational
databases.
Explain guiding principles associated with
the common elements.

Tables (1 of 4)
Fundamental building block of relational
databases
Organized in:
Rows (records)
Columns (fields)

New rows are cheap. New fields are

expensive.

Tables (2 of 4)
Field types
Text, such as customer last name
Memo, such as notes
Number, such as # of units ordered
Currency, such as beginning account
balance
Date / time, such as transaction date
Yes / no, such as credit approved

Tables (3 of 4)
Primary key: a field
which uniquely
identifies every record
in a table
Compound primary
key: a set of fields
which uniquely
identify every record

Foreign key: a
primary key from one
table that is also
included in another
table for purposes of
linking

Tables (4 of 4)

Queries (1 of 2)
Power tool of
relational databases
Allow the user to
extract records based
on specified criteria
Two ways to create
Wizard
Design

Can be constructed
from tables and / or
other queries
Can incorporate
calculations
Types
Simple: data from a
single source
Compound: data from
multiple sources

Queries (2 of 2)

Forms (1 of 2)
Two purposes
Entering data in tables
(populating)
Looking up data

Specialized elements
Drop-down lists
Radio buttons

Design principles

Title
White space
Font size
Element positioning

Forms (2 of 2)

Reports
Display output from
one or more tables /
queries
Can incorporate
simple calculations
Same design
considerations as
forms