What is a Database?

A database is an information system – this is a way of taking data and organising it into a format that is readable and useable. ​

There are lots of different types of information systems, both paper based and digital.

Databases are made up of:​

File – this is the collection of information stored altogether. These can sometimes be referred to as Entities.​

Record – this is one set of information about a particular person or thing.​

Field – this is one specific piece of information – like a heading or title in a column of a table. These can sometimes be referred to as Attributes.

Fields can hold lots of different types of information, and it is important to identify the data type for each field.​

​Data Types can be:​

Text – this field can hold letters and words, or a mixture of letters and numbers (like a post code)​

Number – this fields can hold numbers; both whole and decimal​

Date/Time – this field can hold a date or a time in lots of different formats​

Currency – this field will hold numbers but show them with a £ (or any other currency)

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