← IGCSE Computer Science Paper 2

Counting fields and records in a table

A field is a column and a record is one data row. The heading row is not a record. A table with 4 fields and 6 records has 4 columns and 7 rows including the heading.

Part of: IGCSE Computer Science 0478 — 9 Databases — Module 2, ACARA Digital Technologies Years 7–8 — Structured Data and Queries — Module 5, ACARA Digital Technologies Years 9–10 — Entities, Relationships and Queries — Module 3, QCE Digital Solutions Unit 2 — Data and Programming Techniques — Module 84

Understanding Counting fields and records in a table in IGCSE Computer Science Paper 2

What it does: Only the data rows are records, so the heading row is left out of the count. One record describes one item or person. A new person is a new row, so the record count goes up and the number of columns stays the same. Each column is one field, so four columns means four fields. A new kind of data needs a new column, which is a field. Adding a record would add a new person, not a new type of data. The heading row lists the field names, so counting its cells gives the number of fields, and it is never counted as a record.

Common mistakes: Four field names are listed (ID, Name, Year, House), so the table has 4 fields. The line should say 'Number of fields: 4'. The 6 is the number of records. The heading row is not a record. 5 data rows means 5 records, so the line should be 'Records = 5'.

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This module's key terms are also in a printable crossword (Modules 500–522) and word search (Modules 500–538).

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Learning
Duo
A table has a heading row and 6 data rows. How many records does it have?
7 records, because the heading row counts as a record6 records, because the heading row is not a record
Matches
7 rows including the heading = 7 records
↓
The heading row was counted as a record. The table has 6 records, because the heading row only holds the field names.
Applying
Meanings
Term
field and record
Meaning
A field is a column and a record is one data row. The heading row is not a record. A table with 4 fields and 6 records has 4 columns and 7 rows including the heading.
Practice
SELECT studentId, firstName, yearLevel, house FROM students;
Testing
Gaps
Number of fields:
Check Answer
Spots
2Fields: ID, Name, Year, House
3Number of fields: 6

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Quick Questions

1. A table has a heading row and 6 data rows. How many records does it have?
A. 7 records, because the heading row counts as a record
B. 6 records, because the heading row is not a record ✓
The heading row only names the fields. Records are the data rows, so 6 data rows means 6 records.
2. A table has the columns StudentID, Name, Age and Form. How many fields does it have?
A. 1 field, because it describes one table
B. 4 fields, one for each column ✓
Each column is one field, so four columns means four fields.
3. A table has 4 fields and 6 records. How many rows does it show, including the heading row?
A. 7 rows ✓
B. 6 rows
There are 6 data rows (records) plus 1 heading row, which makes 7 rows.
4. In a school database table, what does one record describe?
A. One item or person, such as a single student ✓
B. One column of values, such as all the student names
A record is one row, and it holds all the data about one item or person. A column of values is a field.
5. A teacher adds a new student to the table. What has the teacher added?
A. A new record ✓
B. A new field
A new student is a new row of data, so it is a record. The number of fields stays the same.

Match the Pairs

StudentID | Name | Year → A heading row that names 3 fields (3 columns). It is not a record.
Table: 4 fields, 6 records → The table has 4 columns and 6 data rows, which is 7 rows once the heading row is included.
The number of records is the number of data rows, not counting the heading row → 1 heading row + 5 data rows = 5 records
Adding a new person to a table adds a record, not a field → Add a row: records 5 -> 6, fields stay 3
7 rows including the heading = 7 records → The heading row was counted as a record. The table has 6 records, because the heading row only holds the field names.
Added a Phone column = 1 new record → A new column is a new field, not a record. The number of records stays the same.

Key Term

field and record
A field is a column and a record is one data row. The heading row is not a record. A table with 4 fields and 6 records has 4 columns and 7 rows including the heading.

Fill in the Blanks

1. Headings: Name | Age | Form | House Number of fields: 4
Hint: Count the column headings and type that number.
2. Rows including heading row: 7 Number of records: 6
Hint: The heading row is not a record, so take one away from the total rows.
3. SELECT COUNT(*) FROM Pet;
Hint: Type the SQL function that counts how many records (rows) there are.
4. A new student joins the table: add a record
Hint: Type the word for one new data row describing one person.
5. Fields: 4, Records: 6 Add a new field called Email Fields now: 5
Hint: Adding a field adds a column. Type the new number of fields.

Spot the Error

Question 1
A Table: Students
B Fields: ID, Name, Year, House
C Number of fields: 6
D Rows below heading: 6
E Number of records: 6
Line C — Four field names are listed (ID, Name, Year, House), so the table has 4 fields. The line should say 'Number of fields: 4'. The 6 is the number of records.
Question 2
A Heading row + 5 data rows
B Records = 6
C Fields = 3
Line B — The heading row is not a record. 5 data rows means 5 records, so the line should be 'Records = 5'.
Question 3
A Table has 4 fields, 7 records
B Columns = 4
C Data rows = 6
D Total rows with heading = 7
Line A — 7 is the total number of rows including the heading. The heading is not a record, so the table has 6 records. The line should be 'Table has 4 fields, 6 records'.
Question 4
A Start: 4 fields, 6 records
B Add one new student record
C Fields: still 4
D Records: still 6
Line D — Adding a record adds one data row. The records go from 6 to 7 and the fields stay at 4. The line should be 'Records: now 7'.
Question 5
A Start: 4 fields, 6 records
B Add a new column: Email
C Records: still 6
D Fields: still 4
Line D — Adding a column adds a field, so the fields go from 4 to 5. The number of records stays at 6. The line should be 'Fields: now 5'.

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