LESSON 1.

98-364 Database Administration Fundamentals

Understand How Data is

Stored in Tables

LESSON 1.1

98-364 Database Administration Fundamentals

Lesson Overview
1.1 Understand how data is stored in tables.
In this lesson, you will review:

Field

Column

Row

Record

Table

Variable

LESSON 1.1

98-364 Database Administration Fundamentals

Field
A location in a record in which a particular type of data is stored.
For example, EMPLOYEE-RECORD might contain fields to
store Last-Name, First-Name, Address, City, State, Zip-Code,
Hire-Date, Current-Salary, Title, Department, and so on.
Individual fields are characterized by their maximum length and
the type of data (for example, alphabetic, numeric, or financial)
that can be placed in them. The facility for creating these
specifications usually is contained in the data definition language
(DDL). In a relational database management system (RDMS),
fields are called columns.
A field is one spot in a table.
A field = data = some value

LESSON 1.1

98-364 Database Administration Fundamentals

Column
In an RDMS, the name of an attribute. The collection of column
values that form the description of a particular entity is called a
tuple or row. A column is equivalent to a field in a record in a
nonrelational file system.
A column is a group of items that are listed up and down (that is,
vertically).

LESSON 1.1

98-364 Database Administration Fundamentals

Row
A series of items arranged horizontally within some type of
frameworkfor example, a continuous series of cells running from
left to right in a spreadsheet; a horizontal line of pixels on a video
screen; or a set of data values aligned horizontally in a table.
A row is a group of items that are listed acrossleft to right (that is,
horizontally).

LESSON 1.1

98-364 Database Administration Fundamentals

Record
A data structure that is a collection of fields (elements), each with
its own name and type.
A record is a group of fields across one row.

LESSON 1.1

98-364 Database Administration Fundamentals

Table
In an RDMS, a data structure characterized by rows and columns,
with data occupying or potentially occupying each cell formed by
a row-column intersection. The table is the underlying structure
of a relation.
A table is a group of rows and columns.

LESSON 1.1

98-364 Database Administration Fundamentals

Variable
A variable name is the label that we give to a column.

Note: This is a slightly different definition from what you might

have learned in a programming class. In programming, a variable
is defined as a named storage location capable of containing data
that can be modified during program execution.

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98-364 Database Administration Fundamentals

Notes ReviewStudent Project

LESSON 1.1

98-364 Database Administration Fundamentals

Assignment

Create a table/database that holds all the records of your report

card.