Buad 2020 Assignment 4 Database Creation With Microsoft Acce

Buad 2020 Assignment 4 Database Creation With Microsoft Access40

Determine the creation of a database in Microsoft Access to allow Shelly, an auto repair shop owner, to efficiently track her customers, their vehicles, repairs, repair types, and employees involved in repairs. The database should include tables for customers, cars, repairs, repair types, and employees. Proper relational links among tables using primary and foreign keys are required. Populate each table with sample data demonstrating functionality, including a minimum of five customers, eight cars, eighteen repairs, five repair types, and four employees. Use appropriate data types for each attribute, and ensure primary keys are set as AutoNumber while foreign keys are Number type. Create a Word document containing screenshots of the relationships window, design view snippets of each table, and datasheet view snippets of each table, then save as a PDF. Submit both printed hard copy and electronic files as specified.

Paper For Above instruction

The development of a comprehensive database for Shelly’s auto repair shop requires meticulous planning and accurate implementation of relational database principles to ensure efficient tracking of her business operations. This paper discusses the process of designing and building such a database using Microsoft Access, emphasizing the identification of essential entities, relationships, data types, and sample data population to reflect real-world operations effectively.

Database Design and Tables

The core of any relational database is its tables, which should represent distinct entities within the business context. In this case, the main entities identified include Customers, Cars, Repairs, Repair Types, and Employees. Each table must have a primary key to uniquely identify records, which should be an AutoNumber data type to facilitate automatic generation of unique identifiers. For example, the Customer table would include CustomerID as the primary key, with personal information attributes such as FirstName, LastName, Address, City, State, ZIPCode, and PhoneNumber, each assigned appropriate data types such as Text or Number based on the data to be stored.

Similarly, the Cars table should contain CarID as its primary key, with attributes like Make, Model, Year, and a foreign key CustomerID to associate each car with its owner. The Repairs table records each repair, including RepairID as its primary key, foreign keys CarID and EmployeeID, and attributes such as RepairTypeID (linked to Repair Types), HoursWorked, and TotalCost. The Repair Types table maintains standardized repair categories (e.g., Tire Rotation, Oil Change) with RepairTypeID as the primary key. The Employees table includes EmployeeID, FirstName, LastName, and HireDate.

Relationships and Data Population

Establishing proper relationships among tables is critical for data integrity. Relationships should be defined based on keys: CustomerID links Customers to Cars; CarID links Cars to Repairs; RepairTypeID links Repairs to Repair Types; EmployeeID links Repairs to Employees. Implementing referential integrity and enforcing cascade updates/deletes ensure data consistency. Sample data should populate each table with at least five customers, eight cars (some customers owning multiple cars), eighteen repairs (some vehicles with multiple repairs), five repair types, and four employees. This sample data demonstrates the database's functionality, such as querying repairs per car, total repair costs, or listing repairs performed by specific employees.

Creating and Documenting the Database

Using Microsoft Access, the database should be constructed systematically. After creating each table with specified attributes and data types, relationships must be established in the Relationship window. The design view should be used to verify attribute attributes and constraints. Populating tables with sample data validates relational integrity and illustrates how the database operates in real-world scenarios.

A Word document must be prepared with screenshots showing the relationship diagram, design view of each table, and datasheet view with sample data. This documentation captures the design choices and confirms the database setup aligns with assignment requirements. The document should be saved as a PDF for submission, along with the printed hard copy.

Conclusion

Creating this database involves careful planning, from designing tables with appropriate attributes and data types to defining relationships that mirror real-world business processes. Populating the tables with sample data demonstrates the functionality and integrity of the design. Proper documentation through screenshots enhances clarity and provides verifiable proof of accomplishment. This project encapsulates fundamental concepts in relational database design, including normalization, referential integrity, and data consistency, essential for effective management information systems in a business context.

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