National 5 Computing Science Field Types

2. Field Types
When designing a database, consideration needs to be given to the data type
of the field.
Text
Number
Date
Time
Graphics
Calculation
Link
Boolean
Key Field

3. Field Types
Text
A string of characters
Examples:
Name
Gavin McLeod
Registration
SN62 FHV
Mobile
07545661120

4. Field Types
Number
Whole or decimal number
Examples:
Year Established
2005
Days Absence
4
Weight
12.5

5. Field Types
Date
Examples:
Date of Birth
31/05/2003
Date of Employment
03/06/2013

6. Field Types
Time
Examples:
Appointment
16:50
Period End
12:45

7. Field Types
Graphics
(Note: Use a Container data type in FileMaker Pro)
Examples:
Club Crest
Photograph

8. Field Types
Calculation
Calculations can be performed on fields using a formula
Examples:
Total Pupils
A database stores the details of each tutor class in a school. One of the fields is
a numeric field called Pupils, which stores the number of pupils in the class.
Total Pupils is a calculated field, adding the Pupils field from each record
Average Bill
A database stores the details of a shopping bills in a supermarket. One of the
fields is a numeric field called Total Bill which stores the amount of each bill.
Average Bill is a calculated field to determine the average of each bill

9. Field Types
Link
A web link
(Note that FileMaker Pro does not have a Link data type)
Examples:
Official Band Home Page
www.foofighters.com
Contact Page
www.vodafone.co.uk/contact-us/

10. Field Types
Boolean
A Boolean can store one of two values, True or False (or Yes/No)
(Note that FileMaker Pro does not have a Boolean data type, so need to create
text field and validate with only 2 options)
Examples:
Club Member
True
Driving Licence
False

11. Field Types
Key Field
Unique field that stores the key for each record
Examples:
Student ID
07151102
Product ID
B-1201-FG7315