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Jargon Dictionary |
SQL (Structured Query Language)Generally pronounced "sequel". SQL is a standard language which allows us to access the data in a database, or to modify, delete and add data. Because it's a standard language, lots of people know how to use it and it works with all sorts of different types of database. As an example, we might write an SQL "statement" like SELECT * FROM CUSTOMERS WHERE CUST_TOWN = "MANCHESTER" to show us all the customers in our database which are located in Manchester. Access is a piece of software which allows us to create a database system with great speed and flexibility. The data is stored in tables, which look a bit like Excel spreadsheets. These tables can be linked together to produce queries (selective views of your information). Attractive, intuitive screens can also be produced (called forms) and there is a report generator built in too. There is also SQL Server - a full scale database system which can hold your databases and handle the data requests made using SQL statements. In this scenario, you might use Microsoft Access (?) as your "front end", providing all the screens and queries, with SQL Server holding the data. This can provide better security and performance than just using Access alone. |
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