Wiley FileMaker Pro 10 Bible 978-0-470-42900-6 ユーザーズマニュアル
製品コード
978-0-470-42900-6
3
Y
ou’ll find no shortage of references to data and databases in books,
magazines, TV shows, and Web articles. In fact, referring to databases
has become so commonplace that most people take it as shorthand
magazines, TV shows, and Web articles. In fact, referring to databases
has become so commonplace that most people take it as shorthand
for the use of sophisticated computer techniques to track and analyze infor-
mation — and indeed computerized databases are everywhere. Despite this,
databases have existed much longer than computers, and the basic concept
has its origins in much more humble methods of information storage and
retrieval.
mation — and indeed computerized databases are everywhere. Despite this,
databases have existed much longer than computers, and the basic concept
has its origins in much more humble methods of information storage and
retrieval.
The term database refers to any collection of ordered information, whether a
computer is involved or not. So everything from the four-day weather forecast
to your grocery list to a pocket dictionary is a database. In fact, this book,
with its table of contents and index, is a database too, offering a compendium
of useful data and several useful ways to access it. In the same way, computer
databases mirror all the other familiar data management techniques that have
been used throughout centuries — allowing you to organize information,
store it, and access it efficiently.
computer is involved or not. So everything from the four-day weather forecast
to your grocery list to a pocket dictionary is a database. In fact, this book,
with its table of contents and index, is a database too, offering a compendium
of useful data and several useful ways to access it. In the same way, computer
databases mirror all the other familiar data management techniques that have
been used throughout centuries — allowing you to organize information,
store it, and access it efficiently.
The first and most important principle of any data organization method is
that what you get out is only as good as what went in. In many cases (unless
the way the information is organized is carefully conceived and followed),
information will always be as easy to find as you would hope. This general-
ization can apply equally to a handwritten list or a computerized data man-
agement tool, depending on the skill and care with which the data has been
arranged or entered, and on the suitability of the method for the uses to
which you will put the information.
that what you get out is only as good as what went in. In many cases (unless
the way the information is organized is carefully conceived and followed),
information will always be as easy to find as you would hope. This general-
ization can apply equally to a handwritten list or a computerized data man-
agement tool, depending on the skill and care with which the data has been
arranged or entered, and on the suitability of the method for the uses to
which you will put the information.
Of course, using a computer to keep track of information offers you many
advantages, including speed and reliability, automation of common tasks,
and the ability to sort, search, and summarize your information efficiently.
advantages, including speed and reliability, automation of common tasks,
and the ability to sort, search, and summarize your information efficiently.
IN THIS CHAPTER
Identifying the elements
of a database
of a database
Relating data
Solving problems by using
a database
a database
Looking at FileMaker’s role in
streamlining data management
streamlining data management
Databases: The What,
Why, and How
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