Databases!

There are three parts that make up a Database (Largest to Smallest they are ...)

Data File - the all the information, the whole database

Records - is all the information gathered on one person/subject

Fields - store one individual piece of information

Example Field Types

* Date/Time
* Numeric
* Text
* Graphic

Graphics Stuff

Crop
- when you cut out a specific bit from the image, removing unwanted parts

Scale
- increasing or decreasing the size keeping it in proportion without removing any parts

Rotate
- turning an image by an angle

Ware!!!!!!!!

The three categories of Software are ...


Freeware
+ Always Free
+ Can't sell it on to other people, but you can copy it and give to your pals

Examples Include - MSN Messenger, SKYPE, LimeWire, MS Paint, Windows MovieMaker

Shareware
+ Free Trial Period
+ Need to buy it after this period (money, no mario coins ...)
+ uninstall it if you don't need it after this time

Examples Include - Norton Anti-Virus, StopZilla (?),

Commercial Ware
+ You must buy from the beginning

Examples Include - Football Manager, FIFA, PES, COD, Microsoft Office, Windows XP (Operating Systems)

Software Development

High Level Languages
+ Written in an English like Language, means they are easier to understand than Low Level Languages - like 1010101's
+ Portable, means they can be used on different platforms (different Operating Systems, Processors)
+Must be translated before they can be executed

Translators
Interpreter
Translates and executes one line of code at a time
+ excellent for debugging, as it stops when an error is found and will not move beyond that line
- needs to be always running in memory

Compiler
Translates and executes the full program at once
+ gives an executable file once the program has been successfully translated
- not great for debugging as it returns all the errors at once (could be loads!)

Spreadsheets

A spreadsheet is a GPP used to hold data/information and perform calculations using formulas.

A spreadsheet is made up of cells organised into Columns (Up and Doon!) and Rows ("along the way" left to right)

Simple Formulas

= A3 * B3
= A3 / B3
= A3 + b2 + b6
= a3 - b2

Functions

= sum(B1:b5) - adds up the range of cells B1 to B5
= max(b2:d7) - selects the highest number(!) from range of cells
= min(D3:d8) - selects the lowest number
= average(D4:d8) - calculates the average number from the range

= if(TEST, TRUE, FALSE)
=if(D3>10, "Yes", "No")
=if(D3>10, "Yes", if(D3<=10, "Maybe", "No"))

Replication - means copying (formulas!) and there are two types

Absolute - uses dollar symbols and the formula doesn't change when replicated
e.g $B$9 - stays $B$9 when replicated

Relative - changes to suit the new cells (the cell references update for new cells)
e.g B9 * C9 replicated down a column changes to C9 * D9

We can change the attributes of cells to - currency, percentage, decimals etc and change how many decimals it displays

Cell Protection - allows us lock cells and stop them being changed
highlight all the cells
right click choose format, cells, protection and unchecked locked
highlight the important cells
right click choose format, cells, protection and checked locked
then choose format, cells, protection and protect sheet

We can highlight and sort data in our spreadsheet
To get something in alphabetical order we could sort in Ascending Order
To get something in reverse order of age we could sort in Descending Order

To only print a specific piece from a spreadsheet we could SET THE PRINT AREA

Spreadsheets also allow us to make charts to visualise and compare information really quickly

Charts can be Fully Labelled - with these 4 labels, Title, X Axis, Y Axis and Key

Spreadsheets

Spreadsheets is an example of a GPP which is used for calculations

A spreadsheet is made up of small boxes called cells

We can insert 3 things into these - Number, Formulas and Text

A Horizontal "Range" of cells is called a Row

A Vertical "Range" of cells is called a Column

5 functions which we can enter into a cell are

= average
= max
= min
= sum
= IF!

We can replicate formulas into other cells - replicate means COPY!

Two types of replication are Relative Referencing and Absolute Referencing!

Merge Ahead!

What are the main steps in a mail merge operation!?

1. Create a Standard Letter

2. Create a Database of Personal Information

3. Insert the Merge Fields

4. Merge the Letter and Database

What is a Standard Letter?

a standard letter is a letter with no personal information!