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Cambridge IGCSE Computer Science · 0478
Topic 9: Databases — Part 1
Database Fundamentals & Terminology
Relational databases and core components
A relational database stores related data in separate tables that can be linked together. Each table holds one type of entity (such as patients or appointments), and relationships between tables are created using keys. This structure keeps data organised, reduces duplication, and makes searching and updating efficient.
The table below defines the core components you must know for Cambridge IGCSE, with examples from a hospital system:
| Term | Definition | Hospital Example |
|---|---|---|
| Table | A structure that holds related data in rows and columns | Patient_Table |
| Field | A specific data point or attribute within a table, represented as a column | BloodType |
| Record | A complete set of related fields for a single entry, represented as a row | All data for John Doe |
| Validation | Rules that check data before it is saved to maintain data integrity | Age must be between 0 and 120 |
The sample Patients table below shows how fields and records are stored:
| PatientID (PK) | LastName | BloodType | Age | WardNumber |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| P101 | Jones | O+ | 45 | 8 |
| P102 | Patel | A+ | 38 | 3 |
| P105 | Smith | A+ | 32 | 12 |
| P108 | Lee | B- | 28 | 5 |
A field is also called an attribute or column. A record is also called a row.
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