Editing a Relational Database using Tables and Forms

Understanding Relational Databases

A relational database is a collection of data items organised as a set of tables.
Each table represents a specific entity and its attributes. The entities could be a person, a product, or an event.
The tables are linked using primary and foreign keys, creating relationships between different sets of data.
Understanding these relationships is key to effective database design and use.

Working with Tables

Tables in databases hold the actual data of the entity. They are made up of rows (records) and columns (fields).
The Primary Key is a unique identifier for each record in a table. No two records can have the same primary key.
You can create, delete, or modify tables based on the requirements of your database.
Data types need to be specified for each field during table creation. Data types could be text, number, date/time, etc.

Using Forms for Data Entry and Editing

Forms are an essential tool in databases for inputting new records or editing existing ones.
Working with forms is often easier and less prone to errors than directly entering data into tables.
A well-designed form corresponds directly to a single record in a specific table.
Like tables, forms have fields that correspond to the attributes of the entity.
These fields can be text boxes, drop-down lists, checkboxes, etc., based on the nature of the data.
The data entered into a form is automatically updated in the corresponding table.

Referential Integrity and Data Validation

Referential integrity is a set of rules applied to maintain consistency and accuracy between linked tables.
It ensures any changes (addition, modification, deletion) in the data remain consistent across related tables.
Forms can also provide data validation to ensure the data entered meets specific criteria. This helps reduce data entry errors.
Data validation could include range checking, format checking, or presence checking.

Modifying Forms for Improved Usability

Customise your forms by adding buttons, images, tabs, and more to enhance usability.
Conditional formatting can also be used to highlight key information. For instance, overdue payment records could be highlighted in red.
Organise form controls in logical groupings and label them clearly for ease of data entry.
Maintain consistent design elements across forms for a coherent user experience.
Consider user needs and application requirements when modifying forms.