Using two examples, explain the term field properties as used in database design.

Using two examples, explain the term field properties as used in database design.

​(b) Below is an extract from a hospital database table.

(i) State with reasons the most suitable data types for the following fields: 

• (I) patient No;
• (II) date registered;
• (III) amount paid;
• (IV) remarks.

(ii) Which would be the most appropriate primary key field for the above table?
(iii) What is the purpose of a primary key field in database design? 
(iv) Describe how information about patients who registered after 09/08/06 can be extracted from the database. 

(a)Field property:

• Specifies details related to fields and table entries expected e.g. field size, format, decimal places etc.

(i)

• (I) Patients No. - Data type - Text
• Reasons — it combines both numeric and alphanumeric characters.
• (II) Date -Date type -Date
• Reason — Data type can be manipulated mathematically, e.g number of moths can be calculated between two dates.
• (III) Amount paid — Data type - Currency/Numeric
• Reason — it can be manipulated mathematically.
• (IV) Remarks - Data type - Memo
• Reasons — the content may be lengthy e.g. giving a paragraph.

(ii) Appropriate primary key on the table

• - Patient No.

(iii) Purpose of primary key

• . Identify each of the records in the database
• . Useful when you want to create a relationship between more than one table.
• . Makes access to database records faster e.g. when sorting.

(iv) Create a query

• Apply the criteria on the date field.
• Giver the criteria date registered >09/08/06

(ii) Appropriate primary key on the table

• - Patient No.

(iii) Purpose of primary key

• . Identify each of the records in the database
• . Useful when you want to create a relationship between more than one table.
• . Makes access to database records faster e.g. when sorting.

(iv) Create a query

• Apply the criteria on the date field.
• Giver the criteria date registered >09/08/06

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