Unit 8.5 - Data Input, Collection, and Validation

Vocabulary practice flashcards covering database design, components of Microsoft Access, validation checks, data types, and simulations from Unit 8.5.

User requirements

A detailed list specifying what a user expects a data model to do.

Microsoft Access

A database management system (DBMS) developed by Microsoft used to create, store, organise, manage, and retrieve data.

Tables (Microsoft Access)

Database objects that store sets of related data arranged in rows and columns.

Queries (Microsoft Access)

Database tools used to find, filter, and analyse specific data resulting from questions asked of one or more tables.

Forms (Microsoft Access)

User-friendly interfaces designed for entering and viewing data in a database.

Reports (Microsoft Access)

Formatted summaries of database data designed to present and print information in a well-organised format.

Entity

A person, place, object, or thing represented in a database, where each individual occurrence is stored as a record.

Atomic data

Data broken down into its smallest, indivisible components across separate fields (e.g., dividing a full name into First Name, Middle Name, Surname, and Other Name).

AutoNumber

A data type that automatically assigns a unique number to each record added to a table; once assigned, that number cannot be reused even if the record is deleted.

Lookup

A data type configuration that provides users with a predefined list of allowed data values that can be entered into a specific field.

Primary key

A field that uniquely identifies each individual record in a database table.

Secondary key

A field used to search, sort, or locate records in a database that does not have to be unique.

Data validation

The process of using predefined rules to check that data entered into a database or spreadsheet is correct and reasonable.

Presence check

A validation check that ensures an essential data item is not omitted or left blank (e.g., using the rule 'Is Not Null').

Length check

A validation check that ensures a data item contains a valid or required number of characters.

Range check

A validation check that ensures entered data falls within specified upper and lower boundaries or meets a directional limit (such as requiring a date of birth to not be a future date).

Format check

A validation check that ensures entered data strictly matches a predefined pattern.

Type check

A validation check that ensures entered data matches the specific data type assigned to a particular field.

Input mask

A validation method that enforces a fixed format for data entry by specifying required characters, optional digits, and punctuation (e.g., telephone numbers).

Data model

A representation of a real-life situation that uses data items (attributes) to store and capture key information.

Simulation

The use of a completed data model to test, evaluate, or experiment with a real-life situation and ask 'what-if' questions.

Augmented-Reality (AR) simulation

A technology that adds real-time computer-generated images, visual cues, and data overlays onto the real world.

Virtual-Reality (VR) simulation

A technology that creates a completely immersive 3D digital environment for the user to interact with using specialized headsets or gloves.