Editing Basic Database Terminology



=  Just a bit of theory the may be helpful - Some Definitions  =

== Databases ==
These encode data in a structured and efficiently searchable format.  It also easily select subsets of
data and can sort those results.  There are lots of different kinds, but one fairly standard one is a SQL or
relational database.

== Database File ==
The file ( or one of the files ) where database information is kept.  We are using sqllite, which keeps a whole database
in one file.  This makes it very easy to move and/or backup a database.

== Table, Record, Column ==
in a SQL data base data is stored in Tables ( many tables may be put in one database ).  A table consists of records ( also called rows. )  Each row is information about some "thing".  For example if the "thing" is a person a record
might contain the person's first name, last name, date of birth.... The table is much like a spread sheet with
the information on each person in a row.  Each of the items ( first name, last name, date of birth.... ) is called a column.

== SQL - Structured Query Language ==
This is the language used by relational databases.  Typically the system generated the required SQL and runs
it.  The user interface often shows the SQL which is quite a bit easier to read than it is to write.
It may give you useful feedback on what the system is doing.

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 it.  The user interface often shows the SQL which is quite a bit easier to read than it is to write.
 It may give you useful feedback on what the system is doing.
-== Text File ==
-Not really a data base even if it contains data.  All files are codes for some data.  A text file ( often a .txt extension ) is one of the simpler encodings:
-each byte in the file codes some text character, a letter in the alphabet, a number, a "newline" character.
-normally the file is more or less readable by a human being.
-Simple programs ( in windows perhaps notepad ) let you read/create/modify text files.
-( Note: most word processors will easily read text files but they tend to s...... )
-== Text Editor ==
-A program to create and edit text file.  I have used Notepad++ on Windows.   Good text editors have
-a lot of powerful features for the text including search and replace features.  You can do substantial
-data manipulation and management just in your text editor and use it in conjunction with the database program.
-In fact the text editor you select becomes much of the interface into your data.  Data is input through
-text file,  the system can prepare blank input files.  Output is often in text file form.
-Complicated selects may be specified in a text file. Records to be edited will be prepared for edit
-as a text file, and after you edit the file, the changed data will be placed back into the database.
-Custom database products use expensively programmed "windows" for database interactions.  This system
-uses automatically programmed text files for database interactions.  Not as fancy, but no expensive
-programming talent is required.
-Geany is another good text editor that I would consider it runs on Windows, Linux, and Mac.
-I am sure there are many other good ones.  If you have a strong preference try it out.
 [[Category:Python Easy DB]]