Printing

Understanding Printing in Databases

• Printing is a key feature in database management systems, allowing the physical output of data tables, reports, or query results.
• Users can customise what to print, often down to individual fields or specific rows or columns.
• The quality of printouts can be maximised by applying desired formatting, headings, and footers.

Data Printouts

• Printouts can result from table views, showing a direct representation of the data arrangement in the database tables.
• They can also be generated from query results, which will present printed data according to the defined parameters of the query.
• From one table to several, specific printouts of desired data ranges are possible.

Printing Reports

• Reports are structured and formatted printouts suitable for presentations and overview documents.
• Report printing allows the inclusion of graphics, charts, and other non-data components to augment the presented data.
• Database management systems will often have built-in tools for creating and printing reports.

Settings and Customisation

• When preparing for printing, settings such as margins, orientation (portrait or landscape), and pages per sheet can be adjusted.
• Users can customise headers and footers with information like page numbers, print dates, or custom text.
• Print preview is a tool to verify the appearance of the printout prior to the printing process.

Importance of Printing

• Printouts from databases serve as uncomplicated, physical data records that can be distributed and referenced easily.
• They provide a permanent record of the database at a particular moment.
• They can be essential in circumstances where digital access to the data may be limited or unavailable.