Data Handling Essentials: Databases vs Spreadsheets

Data Handling

This lesson will cover: The importance of storing and processing data for modern organizations. The benefits of electronic databases over paper-based databases and spreadsheets . Different types of databases and the advantages they bring to organizations.

Why do we store data? Storing and using data is an essential part of running a modern business or organization. Why do organizations need to keep records?

Commercial organizations Commercial organizations store and manipulate data for sales, ordering, finance and producing models and forecasts. Spreadsheets can be used but they have some limitations: • can be difficult to generate very complex search queries • complicated to allow multiple users access to the same data • don’t allow for sophisticated validation criteria to prevent erroneous entries • more likely to produce duplicate or redundant records. Databases are very good for working with lots of data.

What are databases? A database is any organized collection of related data and information. For example, your personal address book or telephone book is a database. A database is made up of tables,which contain records sortedinto fields. Organizations that use databases are constantly retrieving and storing records about their staff, their customers and their finances.

Electronic vs. paper databases

Databases vs. spreadsheets

Using databases Organizations that use databases include: Schools Businesses Hospitals Libraries Police What databases might have your name in their records?

Using databases

Internet sales

Flat file database A flat file database is a database which has only one table, which is not linked to any other table. It is a relatively simple database. An address book is an example of a flat file database. Spreadsheet software can be used to create flat file databases. In contrast, relational databases use multiple tables to store information. They can then relate records on one table to records on another table, to produce a third table which displays this new data.

Relational databases

True or false?

Data Handling Essentials: Databases vs Spreadsheets

Data Handling Essentials: Databases vs Spreadsheets

Presentation Transcript

Data Handling

Handling Data

Data Handling

DATA HANDLING

Handling Data

Handling Data

Data Handling

Data Handling

Handling Data

Data Handling

Data Handling

Data handling

Data Handling

Data Handling

Handling Data

Data handling

Data Handling

DATA HANDLING

Data Handling

Handling data

Handling Data

Data handling