Computer Skills Curriculum
Glossary

Databases,

arrange (sort) : A process of organizing the records in a database in a specific order, either alphabetically (from A to Z or reverse alphabetically from Z to A) or numerically (from 0 to 9 or reverse numerically from 9 to 0).

computer accessible news sources: A computer database of news and information which is updated frequently, usually daily, and available to be searched by dates and keywords.

connectors: A term used in searching databases which indicates which records satisfying one statement/rule/criterion or both should be selected. The two most common connectors are "and" and "or."

data: A general term for pieces of information that a computer processes.

database (computer, current, print): A collection of data organized for search and retrieval. Computer databases are accessed by computer; print databases are available in printed format. A current database is a collection of data updated frequently (hourly, daily, weekly, etc.) and is usually a compute database.

edit/editing: To make any change to the contents of a database.

enter/entering: To type an item of information into a field in a database.

field/category: An item of information in a record of a file in a database.

file: A collection of related records in a database.

information accessing: Process of searching for information, usually located in a database. Most commonly used when a computer database is to be searched.

or: A connector/term used in searching databases which indicates that for two statements/rules/criteria all records satisfying either one statement/rule criterion or both statements; rules/criteria should be selected.

record: A collection or listing of related fields or categories in a database file.

report: A display (on the screen or printed onto paper) of the records or parts of the records of a database that satisfy a particular search or sort.

select/search: A process of choosing all records of a database that meet or satisfy a statement, rule or criterion. A search may be base don a single statement, rule or criterion or a combination of statements, rules, or criteria joined by a connector of "and" or "or." This process is called find, match, or query in some database software.

sort (arrange) : A process of organizing the records in a database in a specific order, either alphabetically (from A to Z or reverse alphabetically from Z to A) or numerically (from 0 to 9 or reverse numerically from 9 to 0).