Chapter 1An Introduction to Database Development
IN THIS CHAPTER
- Examining the differences between databases, tables, records, fields, and values
- Discovering why multiple tables are used in a database
- Exploring Access database objects
- Designing a database system
Database development is unlike most other ways you work with computers. Unlike Microsoft Word or Excel, where the approach to working with the application is relatively intuitive, good database development requires prior knowledge. You have to learn a handful of fundamentals, including database terminology, basic database concepts, and database best practices.
Throughout this chapter, we cover the fundamentals of database development.
The Database Terminology of Access
Access follows most, but not all, traditional database terminology. The terms database, table, record, field, and value indicate a hierarchy from largest to smallest. These same terms are used with virtually all database systems.
Databases
Generally, the word database is a computer term for a collection of information concerning a certain topic or business application. Databases help you organize this related information in a logical fashion for easy access and retrieval.
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