Character versus text fields
Name:
Date:
Class:
A
Quick Questions
Shade in the A or B circle for each question.
1. Which data type should a Gender field storing M or F use?
2. Which data type should a Name field storing values like 'Priya' and 'Alexander' use?
3. Which statement about a character field is correct?
4. A Grade field stores one letter from A to E. Which type fits best?
5. A Postcode field stores values like 'SW1A 2AA'. Which type fits best?
B
Match the Pairs
Draw a line connecting each item on the left to its match on the right.
| Left column | Right column | |
|---|---|---|
| 1Gender CHAR | AGrade CHAR | |
| 2Surname TEXT | BA first name has many characters, so it cannot be stored in a character field. It should be TEXT. | |
| 3A grade from A to E is one symbol, so use a character field | CA field that stores exactly one character, such as M or F | |
| 4A postcode such as SW1A 2AA has several characters, so use a text field | DA postcode has several characters, so it needs a text field. A character field holds only one character, so it should be TEXT. | |
| 5FirstName CHAR | EA field that stores a string of any length, such as Nguyen | |
| 6Postcode CHAR | FPostcode TEXT |
C
Definitions
character field
D
Fill in the Blanks
Complete each line of code by filling in the missing parts.
1.
Field: Gender
Type: ____
Example: M
2.
Field: Surname
Type: ____
Example: Nguyen
3.
Field: Postcode
Type: ____
Example: SW1A 2AA
4.
Field: Grade
Type: ____
Example: B
5.
A CHAR field holds exactly _ character
E
Spot the Error
Shade in the letter of the line that contains an error.
Question 1
A
Table: Pupil
B
Gender - Character (Male)
C
Name - Text
Question 2
A
Table: Result
B
Name - Text
C
Postcode - Text
D
Grade - Character (Pass, Fail)
Question 3
A
Postcode - Character
B
Name - Text
C
Grade - Character
Question 4
A
Table: Club
B
Initial - Character
C
Surname - Character
Question 5
A
Field: Grade
B
Type: Character
C
Example: AB
Answer Key
Character versus text fields
Section A: Quick Questions
Q1
B — Character
Q2
A — Text
Q3
A — It holds exactly one character
Q4
A — Character
Q5
B — Text
Section B: Match the Pairs
Q1
Gender CHAR → A field that stores exactly one character, such as M or F
Q2
Surname TEXT → A field that stores a string of any length, such as Nguyen
Q3
A grade from A to E is one symbol, so use a character field → Grade CHAR
Q4
A postcode such as SW1A 2AA has several characters, so use a text field → Postcode TEXT
Q5
FirstName CHAR → A first name has many characters, so it cannot be stored in a character field. It should be TEXT.
Q6
Postcode CHAR → A postcode has several characters, so it needs a text field. A character field holds only one character, so it should be TEXT.
Section C: Definitions
Q1
character field — A character field holds exactly one character, like a grade A-E or an M/F code. A text field holds a string of any length, like a name or a postcode.Section D: Fill in the Blanks
Q1
Field: Gender
Type: CHAR
Example: MQ2
Field: Surname
Type: TEXT
Example: NguyenQ3
Field: Postcode
Type: TEXT
Example: SW1A 2AAQ4
Field: Grade
Type: CHAR
Example: BQ5
A CHAR field holds exactly 1 characterSection E: Spot the Error
Q1
B — A character field holds exactly one character, so the full word Male cannot be stored. The value should be a single letter code such as M.
Q2
D — Pass and Fail are strings of several characters, so they cannot go in a character field. A character grade must be one letter, such as A to E.
Q3
A — A postcode has several characters, such as BS8 1TH, so it needs a text field. A character field holds only one character.
Q4
C — A surname is a string of varying length, so it must be a text field. A character field only holds one character.
Q5
C — The field type is Character, so each value must be exactly one character. AB has two characters; a valid example is A.