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What a single-table database is

A database table stores data in columns called fields and rows called records. A single-table database keeps all its data in this one table.

Part of: VCE Applied Computing - U1O1 - Data analysis — Module 37, VCE Data Analytics - U3O1 - Data Analytics — Module 15, 7-8 Digital Technologies: Acquiring, storing and validating data — Module 19, IGCSE Computer Science 0478 — 9 Databases — Module 1, ACARA Digital Technologies Years 7–8 — Structured Data and Queries — Module 4, ACARA Digital Technologies Years 9–10 — Acquiring and Validating Data — Module 57, ACARA Digital Technologies Years 9–10 — Entities, Relationships and Queries — Module 2, QCE Digital Solutions Unit 2 — Data-Driven Problems and Solution Requirements — Module 54, QCE Digital Solutions Unit 3 — Real-World Problems and Solution Requirements — Module 29

Understanding What a single-table database is in VCE Spreadsheets, SQL & Visualisation

What it does: One table called Students lists all its fields in brackets, so everything is stored in that single table. Each part of the row matches a field (StudentID, Name, Year, House), and together they make one record. A row is a record. It holds all the facts about one thing, like one student or one book. A record is one row of data about one pet. 'Name, Type, Age' lists the fields, which are the column headings. Each row is a record, so 30 rows means 30 records. The 5 columns are the fields. A database table has a fixed structure: every record uses the same fields. A spreadsheet is more flexible, so any cell can hold anything.

Common mistakes: A record needs a value for every field. This table has 3 fields (Name, Age, Type), so the record must be RECORD 1: Milo, 3, Dog. Values must sit in the same order as the fields. 1988 is in the Author position and Dahl is in the Year position. It should be RECORD 2: Matilda, Dahl, 1988.

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This module's key terms are also in a printable crossword (Modules 35–44) and word search (Modules 35–54).

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Learning
Duo
In a database table, what is a column called?
A recordA field
Matches
Field = a row holding all the details about one student
↓
A field is a column, not a row. A row is a record.
Applying
Meanings
Term
database table
Meaning
A database table stores data in columns called fields and rows called records. A single-table database keeps all its data in this one table.
Practice
Table: Students
Testing
Gaps
: Pets
Check Answer
Spots
2FIELDS: Name, Age, Type
3RECORD 1: Milo, 3

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Quick Questions

1. In a database table, what is a column called?
A. A record
B. A field ✓
A column in a database table is a field. Each field holds one type of information, such as Name or Age.
2. In a database table, what is a row called?
A. A record ✓
B. A field
A row is a record. It holds all the facts about one thing, like one student or one book.
3. A school library keeps all its book details in ONE table. What kind of database is this?
A. A single-table database ✓
B. A multi-table database
When all the data is stored in one table, it is called a single-table database.
4. Which is a field in a table of students?
A. Mia Chen, 13, Year 8
B. FirstName ✓
FirstName is a field (a column heading). 'Mia Chen, 13, Year 8' is the data for one record (a row).
5. Which is one record in a pet table with the fields Name, Type and Age?
A. Milo, Dog, 4 ✓
B. Name, Type, Age
A record is one row of data about one pet. 'Name, Type, Age' lists the fields, which are the column headings.

Match the Pairs

field → A column in a database table that holds one type of information, such as Name or Age
record → A row in a database table that holds all the information about one person, item or event
A single-table database keeps all its data in one table, with fields as column headings → Students(StudentID, Name, Year, House)
One record about one student is a single row holding a value for each field → 101 | Mia Chen | 7 | Red
Field = a row holding all the details about one student → A field is a column, not a row. A row is a record.
A single-table database has many tables linked together → A single-table database has just one table. Many linked tables is a different kind of database.

Key Term

database table
A database table stores data in columns called fields and rows called records. A single-table database keeps all its data in this one table.

Fill in the Blanks

1. Table: Pets Fields: Name, Type, Age
Hint: Type the word for the whole grid that holds all the data in the database.
2. Table: Pets Fields: Name, Type, Age
Hint: Type the word for the columns that describe each piece of data.
3. Table: Pets Fields: Name, Type, Age Record: Rex, Dog, 4
Hint: Type the word for a single row that holds the data about one pet.
4. Database: SchoolLibrary Tables: 1
Hint: Type the number of tables in a single-table database.
5. Fields: Name, Type, Age Field count: 3
Hint: Count the fields listed on the line above and type that number.

Spot the Error

Question 1
A TABLE Pets
B FIELDS: Name, Age, Type
C RECORD 1: Milo, 3
D RECORD 2: Zoe, 5, Cat
Line C — A record needs a value for every field. This table has 3 fields (Name, Age, Type), so the record must be RECORD 1: Milo, 3, Dog.
Question 2
A TABLE Books
B FIELDS: Title, Author, Year
C RECORD 1: Holes, Sachar, 1998
D RECORD 2: Matilda, 1988, Dahl
Line D — Values must sit in the same order as the fields. 1988 is in the Author position and Dahl is in the Year position. It should be RECORD 2: Matilda, Dahl, 1988.
Question 3
A DATABASE SchoolClub
B TABLE Members
C RECORDS: Name, Year, Sport
D RECORD 1: Ava, 8, Netball
Line C — Name, Year and Sport are the column headings, so they are fields, not records. The line should start with FIELDS:.
Question 4
A FIELD Songs
B FIELDS: Title, Artist, Length
C RECORD 1: Hello, Adele, 4.5
Line A — Songs is the name of the whole table. A field is just one column inside the table. The line should be TABLE Songs.
Question 5
A TABLE Games
B FIELDS: Title, Rating, Price
C FIELD 1: Minecraft, G, 29
D RECORD 2: Roblox, PG, 0
Line C — A row of data about one game is a record, not a field. Fields are the columns. The line should be RECORD 1: Minecraft, G, 29.

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