Database development

Understand the structure and principles of databases.

Uses of databases

• Improve productivity
• Make decisions
• Present information
• interpret data
• Perform calculations
• Manage large data sets
• Creating and presenting financial reports
• Record keeping
• Collaborative working
• Searching and planning information
• Queries

Tools and techniques

• Table structures
• Attribute characteristics
• Validation rules and texts
• Records
• Relationships
• Forms
• Sorts
• Queries

Referential Integrity

• Primary keys
• Foreign keys
• Cascade update
• Cascade delete

Assessment Criteria

• 1.1

  Describe the uses and features of databases.           

• 1.2

  Describe the tools and techniques used in databases.

Be able be able to design and develop a simple relational database system to meet a given brief.

• Entity relationship modelling
• Data dictionaries
• Input and output screen designs
• Single and multiple table structures with appropriate attribute characteristics including attributes names, data types, attribute sizes, attribute formats
• Validation rules and text
• Edit and records and data existing records and data
• Use wizards
• Customised forms to facilitate data entry
• Forms should allow navigation between forms and sub forms, appropriate data entry, include validation checks.

Assessment Criteria

• 2.1

  Design a relational database system using database design techniques.

• 2.2

  Develop a relational database with realistic dataset, which includes three tables, queries, data entry-forms, and reports.

Be able to test a relational database.

Testing

• Test plan structure eg test, date, expected result, actual result, corrective action
• Test database functionality
• Test database against user requirements;

Evaluation

• Relational database fit for purpose

Assessment Criteria

• 3.1

  Produce a test plan and test database system.