DATABASE SYSTEMS

 

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Unit 1

Unit 2

Unit 3

Unit 27

Unit 16

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Unit 21

 

 

 

 

Task 1 - Why Use a Database? (P1, M1, D2) 

  1. The Team want to store its information more efficiently. It has asked you for a short presentation that explains the principles of database systems
    1. Describe the features of the computerised database system (queries, forms, reports, macros)
    2. You must identify and describe at least two advantages and two disadvantages of using a computerised database, instead of using the current manual system, to produce the play list for the dance. (P1)
  1. The Team is also concerned about ‘data integrity’ but are not sure what this is or why it is important.  They have asked you to add to your ‘Why use a database’ presentation so that it covers:
    1. What is data integrity?
    2. Using examples explain the importance of maintaining data integrity in this database system.  You should write about what would happen if:
      1. The original data was wrong
      2. The original data was entered in wrong
      3. The data stored is not up to date
      4. The data stored has been changed by mistake (M1)

 

  1. The Team are use to facts and figures being produced for them in a report format and would like to know if this would be possible from a database.
    1. Describe the features of the Report function in Access.  You should include at least seven of the following:
      1. Selecting fields
      2. Add grouping
      3. Sort records in selected fields
      4. Summary options for groups
      5. Layout style
      6. Report header
      7. Page header
      8. Detail
      9. Page footer
      10. Report footer
      11. Special fields
    1. explain how using the features described in 3.1 would be helpful for the dance organisers and the students using the system (D2)

 

Evidence can be written work, a presentation, or a set of posters
Task 2 – Design a Database P2, M2, M3

Having viewed your presentation The Team have asked you to design a database for the dance scenario.  You have been provided with the DJ’s text file of data (Tracks.txt) and details of the data items on it (Data_items.doc).  Remember that The Team want to use this data in a different way to the DJ!

  1. You will need to design:

 

  1. a table structure (table name, field names, field data type, description, field properties, validation rule, validation text).  You design should support data integrity for the data that is going to be used,
  1. query structure for all searches the users will need to use (you should show , selected fields, sort fields, search criteria) Searches include:
    1. selecting tracks by type
    2. selecting tracks that the student would like to sponsor

 

  1. i) form structure for every time the users need to enter  data Your forms should have at least two buttons on them.  There should be at least two forms, one for the The Team to enter/edit records and one for the student to enter in details of the tracks that they will sponsor

ii) sketch of form layouts

  1. i) report structure for all reports (you should give details of the selected table or query that will be used for the report, .  There should be at least two reports and one of these should produce a report printout of at least two pages.  Your structure should show selected fields and any grouping and/or summary options used

ii) sketch of report layout (P2)
The Team are impressed with your designs but now have some more questions about it.  They have asked you to produce a short report:

  1. That explains the choice of fields, data types and primary key in a database system.  You should refer to several different database systems and how these choices will affect the accuracy of the information produced e.g. the use of text data type for fields that are calculated, the need to identify individual records(M2)

 

  1. Explains the need to calculate data storage requirements, this should include meeting the legal requirements of the data protection act and estimation of disk space needed for the database to work correctly now and in the future(M3)

Task 3 – Create a Database P3, P4, P5, P6, P7, M4, M5, D1

The Team has decided that databases are the way to go, and has asked you to work on creating one for producing sponsors’ lists. They would like to know what is involved in creating a database and have asked you to produce a report that shows how you created your one.

You will need to keep notes on everything you do and print screenshots whenever possible to show details of your progress.

  1. You should start by importing the data from the Tracks.txt file (P4)
  2. Then set up the table and create the forms, queries and reports to your designs and that meet the user’s needs (P3, P5, P6, M5)
  3. Create screen printouts of your queries and forms.  Print out at least two reports.  Show how the data is sorted. (M4)
  4. Test the database and write up the results.  Include screen printouts to demonstrate the results. (D1)
  5. Export one of your reports to a word processing file (P7)

 

TASK 4  - Wrapping it Up! P8, D3

The Team are delighted with the database but feel two  further documents are required.  You have been asked to produce:

  1. User documentation – this will be for the students so should not be technical and should only describe the parts that the user will use.  The document should have:
  2. An introduction
  3. How to carry out standard tasks
  4. Troubleshooting

 

  1. Database administrator documentation – this should be a technical document and give design details of table, queries, forms and reports  (P8)
    • A report about the improvements that could be made to the database you have designed and created.  For example, you could consider extra fields, additional queries and reports or more useful buttons.  These should be based on user feedback on testing the database.  You don’t have to implement these improvements, but you should include new designs.  Explain why these changes would improve the database for The Extra Activities Team.  As this report is for yourself and your client it can include some technical terms. (D3)