'Understand the concept of storing data in a structured format'

P

pbnw07619

I want to explain the above to 16-18 year old students with basic knowledge
of Access
 
R

Rick B

Okay. Do you have a question for us?

If you are teaching a class on database design, I'd think that you would
have books that explain the concepts. Or, you can search for hundreds of
pages on the Internet that talk about it.

What do you need from us? Are you looking for a specific story or example?
 
A

Albert D.Kallal

pbnw07619 said:
I want to explain the above to 16-18 year old students with basic knowledge
of Access
Click to expand...

Hum, no structure vs. structure?

Simply take a piece of paper, and have people write down their name, phone
number, and address.

Now, given then a 2nd piece of paper with a NICE CLEAR FORM with boxes on
it, and then ask them to write down their names, and address.

In one case, you got a mess of text like you would in a word processor.

in the 2nd case, you got a clear defined structure, and the users are
"forced" to put down the data into a structure. It is this forcing of
structure that gives the data value. Anyone can ALWAYS look at the SAME spot
on the paper to get the name, and with blank paper, this is not the case....

So, that blank paper vs a nice clear paper form is like comparing word to
ms-access.
 
P

pbnw07619

Hi thanks for your response. Yes I was looking for a specific explanation
from someone. I have looked on the internet and I have various handouts which
I didn't think explained it very well. I have put something together, and in
the meantime if I come across a better explanation I will revise my own notes.
 
T

Tony Toews

Albert D.Kallal said:
Hum, no structure vs. structure?

Simply take a piece of paper, and have people write down their name, phone
number, and address.

Now, given then a 2nd piece of paper with a NICE CLEAR FORM with boxes on
it, and then ask them to write down their names, and address.

In one case, you got a mess of text like you would in a word processor.

in the 2nd case, you got a clear defined structure, and the users are
"forced" to put down the data into a structure. It is this forcing of
structure that gives the data value. Anyone can ALWAYS look at the SAME spot
on the paper to get the name, and with blank paper, this is not the case....

So, that blank paper vs a nice clear paper form is like comparing word to
ms-access.
Click to expand...

Albert

Well done. Very nice analogy.

Tony
--
Tony Toews, Microsoft Access MVP
Please respond only in the newsgroups so that others can
read the entire thread of messages.
Microsoft Access Links, Hints, Tips & Accounting Systems at
http://www.granite.ab.ca/accsmstr.htm
 
P

pbnw07619

Albert D.Kallal said:
Hum, no structure vs. structure?

Simply take a piece of paper, and have people write down their name, phone
number, and address.

Now, given then a 2nd piece of paper with a NICE CLEAR FORM with boxes on
it, and then ask them to write down their names, and address.

In one case, you got a mess of text like you would in a word processor.

in the 2nd case, you got a clear defined structure, and the users are
"forced" to put down the data into a structure. It is this forcing of
structure that gives the data value. Anyone can ALWAYS look at the SAME spot
on the paper to get the name, and with blank paper, this is not the case....

So, that blank paper vs a nice clear paper form is like comparing word to
ms-access.

--
Albert D. Kallal (Access MVP)
Edmonton, Alberta Canada
[email protected]
http://www.members.shaw.ca/AlbertKallal


Hi Albert
Click to expand...

Thanks for your reply. I am sure you are on the right track as you address
the question of 'understanding the concept'. The example I used was a filing
system in a Doctors surgery with records kept in alphabetical order and you
had to search for a patient named Brown. A database could do it in a second.
However I think your example better. Thanks
 
Top