Every library catalogue, contacts list and online shop sits on a database: information organised so that a computer can search it in an instant. At the Database Depot, Year 6 coders learn how the data is arranged and how to ask it questions.
What your child will learn
- Know that a table is made of records (rows) and fields (columns)
- Choose a sensible data type for a field
- Read a query that uses =, > and <, and AND and OR
- Explain why each record needs a unique ID and why personal data must be protected
Rows are things, columns are facts
In a table of pets, each row is one pet — a record. Each column is one kind of fact about every pet, such as name, type or age — a field. A query asks a question: “type = cat AND age > 5” returns only the records where both parts are true.
Example questions
Here are a few questions like the ones in the first quest. Can you solve them?
1. A library database has one row for each book. What is each row called?
- A record
- A field
- A folder
- A query
Show answer
Answer: A record. One row holds everything about one book.
2. In a database table, what is a field?
- A search result
- One whole row
- The whole table
- One category of information, such as “name” or “age”
Show answer
Answer: One category of information, such as “name” or “age”. Each column of the table is one field.
3. Which of these is a database you might use every day?
- A light switch
- A phone’s contacts list
- A paintbrush
- A pair of headphones
Show answer
Answer: A phone’s contacts list. It stores names and numbers that you can search.
Tips for grown-ups
- Make a table of your books or games with three or four fields.
- Ask questions of it: “Which were published after 2020?”
- Talk about which information about you is personal, and who should be allowed to see it.