database definition

This is a simple activity whereby you can demonstrate your grasp of terms commonly used when referring to databases. Sites such as http://www.webopedia.com/ will be very useful in completing this activity.

Provide a basic definition for each of the following terms;

FIELD: a space allocated for a particular item of information.
RECORD: information about something in a data management system, this information is sorted into fields.
FILE: a collection of information that has a name, called filename. Can come in different forms: data files, text files, program files and directory files.
QUERY: make a request for information from a database.
DATABASE: A collection of information organized into fields that a computer program can quickly select desired pieces of data.
REPORT: A formatted and organized presentation of data.
DBMS: database management system,
A collection of programs that enables you to store, modify, and extract information from a database.
DATA DICTIONARY: A description of each field in a database.
DATA TYPE: the different type of data entered into a data base

Illustrate, with the aid of a table or diagram, what is a file, record and field. Use the example of a database of music containing album titles, song titles, artists, genre etc.

List as many commonly used databases as you think of – you should be able to come up with at least five. school records, doctor's patients records, library catalogue, contact list on a mobile, street directory.