Lab #9: Database Basics and Access 2000 (I)

PRE-LAB PREPARATION

Reading:

• Ch. 12, Hutchinson & Sawyer
• Resources on Access and database design

LAB TASKS

1. Team Work (0.5%):

Discuss the following questions, and in an outline form write the answers:

1. What is a database?
2. What are the parts of the data hierarchy, and what is the key field?
3. What is query? What is query language and what is natural language?
4. Compare the following models, with illustration of examples:
   • hierarchical database model
   • network databases model
   • relational database model
   • object-oriented model

Turn in the responses (one paper per group)

 

2. Individual Work (0.5%)

Create a database to keep track of students' advisors. Therefore, you need to create (a) a Student table and (b) an Advisor's table.

1. Before you create the tables, list all the fields to be included in each of the tables. Using the computer or by hand, draw an Entity-Relationship diagram to show the relationship between the two tables.

• The Student table contains the following fields:

  SSN, Last Name, First Name, Phone, Birthdate, Advisor ID

• The Advisor table contains the following fields:

  Advisor ID, Name, Office Address, Phone

2. Create the relational database by following the instructions downloaded from here.

3. Run and save a query.

4. Save the database and send it via email attachment to ge@ist.psu.edu.

OBJECTIVES

• understand basic concepts of databases
• plan and create a table
• create a relational database to solve a real-life problem

SKILLS

• Create a database
• create relational tables,
• Save the table structure
• Change views between the design and the database.
• Enter and edit data
• Insert a picture
• Adjust column widths
• Add records in data entry
• Preview and print a table
• Generate a report

RESOURCES

• Reading: Ch. 12, Hutchinson & Sawyer
• Designing a Database
• MS Access
• Introduction to Access 97
• Penn State CAC Web-Based Tutorial (WBT) on Access (Select a level that meets your level).

EVALUATION

This lab is worth 1% points, 0.5 points for the team work, and 0.5 for the individual work.