← VCE Data Analysis

Query design

A plan for a database query that lists the table, the fields to show, the criteria used to filter records and the sort order, written before the query is built.

Part of: VCE Applied Computing - U1O1 - Data analysis — Module 78, VCE Data Analytics - U3O1 - Data Analytics — Module 33, VCE Data Analytics - U3O2 - Analysis and Design — Module 152, ACARA Digital Technologies Years 9–10 — Entities, Relationships and Queries — Module 45

Understanding Query design in VCE Data Analysis

What it does: A criteria line sets a condition, so only records where Year is 11 appear in the results. The sort line says which field to order by and the direction, here A to Z by Surname. A query design plans the table, the fields to show, the criteria to filter by and the sort order before the query is built. A query design is a plan, so you write it first. It guides how you build the query. The table names where the records come from. Here it is the Students table.

Common mistakes: The Fields line must list the field names to show, such as Name, Price. Products is the table name, which belongs on the Table line. The goal is about students, so the query design must name the Students table, not Teachers.

Class: _____________________  ·  Name: _____________________  ·  Date: _________

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This module's key terms are also in a printable crossword (Modules 68–80) and word search (Modules 56–80).

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Learning
Duo
Which list shows the parts of a query design?
Title, font, colour, page borderTable, fields to show, criteria, sort order
Matches
Table: Name, Year, Score Criteria: Score > 80
↓
The table line lists fields instead of a table name. It should be something like Table: Students, and the fields belong on a separate Fields line.
Applying
Meanings
Term
Query design
Meaning
A plan for a database query that lists the table, the fields to show, the criteria used to filter records and the sort order, written before the query is built.
Practice
Table: Students
Testing
Gaps
: Students
Check Answer
Spots
2Table: Products
3Fields: Products

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Quick Questions

1. Which list shows the parts of a query design?
A. Table, fields to show, criteria, sort order ✓
B. Title, font, colour, page border
A query design plans the table, the fields to show, the criteria to filter by and the sort order before the query is built.
2. When is a query design written?
A. After the query has been run and finished
B. Before the query is built ✓
A query design is a plan, so you write it first. It guides how you build the query.
3. A query design says: Table: Students. Which part of the design is this?
A. The sort order
B. The table that holds the data ✓
The table names where the records come from. Here it is the Students table.
4. Which part of a query design decides which columns appear in the results?
A. Fields to show ✓
B. Sort order
The fields to show list the columns the user will see. Sort order only arranges the records.
5. Which is a criteria in a query design?
A. Year_Level = 11 ✓
B. Sort by Surname A to Z
Criteria filter which records are included. Year_Level = 11 only keeps Year 11 students. Sorting is a separate part.

Match the Pairs

Table: Students → Names the table the query will take its records from
Fields: FirstName, Year → Lists the fields that will be shown in the query results
Criteria filter the records so only matching ones are shown → Criteria: Year = 11
Sort order arranges the results from smallest to largest or A to Z → Sort: Surname ascending
Table: Name, Year, Score Criteria: Score > 80 → The table line lists fields instead of a table name. It should be something like Table: Students, and the fields belong on a separate Fields line.
Table: Students Fields: Name, Year Sort: Year > 10 → The sort line uses a filter condition. It should name the sort direction, such as Sort: Year ascending, and the condition belongs in the criteria.

Key Term

Query design
A plan for a database query that lists the table, the fields to show, the criteria used to filter records and the sort order, written before the query is built.

Fill in the Blanks

1. Table: Students Fields: Name, Year Sort: Name ascending
Hint: Type the label that names the source of the records in the query design.
2. Table: Students Fields: Name, Year Sort: Name ascending
Hint: Type the label for the list of columns the query will show.
3. Table: Students Fields: Name, Year Criteria: Year = 11
Hint: Type the label for the condition used to filter records.
4. Table: Students Criteria: Year >= 11 Sort: Name ascending
Hint: Type the operator meaning greater than or equal to.
5. Table: Products Fields: Name, Price Sort: Price descending
Hint: Type the sort direction that lists the highest value first.

Spot the Error

Question 1
A Goal: Show cheap products
B Table: Products
C Fields: Products
D Criteria: Price < 10
E Sort: Price lowest first
Line C — The Fields line must list the field names to show, such as Name, Price. Products is the table name, which belongs on the Table line.
Question 2
A Goal: Show Year 11 students
B Table: Teachers
C Fields: Name, Year
D Criteria: Year = 11
E Sort: Name A-Z
Line B — The goal is about students, so the query design must name the Students table, not Teachers.
Question 3
A Table: Books
B Fields: Title Author
C Criteria: Genre = 'Fantasy'
D Sort: Title A-Z
Line B — Fields in a query design are separated by commas. It should be Fields: Title, Author.
Question 4
A Goal: Top scores first
B Table: Results
C Fields: Student, Score
D Sort: Score lowest first
Line D — The goal is to show top scores first, so the sort order must be highest first, not lowest first.
Question 5
A Table: Customers
B Fields: OrderID, Total
C Criteria: Total > 100
D Sort: Total highest first
Line A — The fields OrderID and Total come from the Orders table. The query design must name Orders as the table.

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