CS1100 Access Lab 1 Creating And Querying Databases To Compl

Cs1100 Access Lab 1creating And Querying Databasesto Complete This As

For this assignment, you will create a new database for inventory management of a small computer reseller, populate it with sample data, and formulate queries to retrieve data. You need to create tables for contacts, products, orders, line items, and zip codes, define relationships among them, and then create specific queries to extract required information. Follow a systematic process starting from database creation, table design, data entry, establishing relationships, and finally querying the database to meet the specified requirements. Ensure all tables are correctly named with appropriate fields and data types, relationships are correctly established with primary and foreign keys, and queries produce correct, meaningful results as per the assignment instructions. The dataset should include sample data for contacts, products, orders, and zip codes, reflecting realistic information and relationships. All output queries should be properly named and validated to provide accurate data. Adherence to the steps and proper database design principles is critical for successful completion of this assignment.

Paper For Above instruction

Creating a comprehensive database system for an inventory management application involves careful planning, design, and implementation phases. This paper explores the step-by-step process of developing an Access database for WizBang Computers, a small computer reseller. The primary goal is to facilitate efficient tracking of inventory, customer information, and order processing, supporting future sales analysis and inventory planning.

Introduction

Effective database design is fundamental for managing business operations that involve multiple data entities and relationships. WizBang Computers’ goal was to develop a database application that not only streamlined their inventory management but also provided insights into customer behavior and sales trends. The use of Microsoft Access was chosen owing to its user-friendly interface, ease of establishing relationships, and querying capabilities. This project involved creating a relational database with interconnected tables, inserting sample data, and constructing queries to retrieve relevant operational information.

Database Design and Table Creation

The process commenced with the creation of a blank Access database, named according to the convention “Orders_Lastname,” ensuring easy identification and organization. Five essential tables—Contacts, Products, Orders, LineItems, and ZipCodes—were designed based on identified data needs. The Contacts table stored customer information, including names, addresses, and contact details. The Products table cataloged available items with attributes such as product ID, name, description, retail price, and a specific field for price charged, which accommodates discounts or special pricing. The Orders table recorded purchase transactions linked to contacts and dates, while LineItems captured detailed product information within each order, including quantities and charged prices. The ZipCodes table associated city, state, and zip code data, linked to contacts for location-specific analysis.

Data Population

Populating the database involved manual data entry using the Access data entry form. Sample data for contacts was entered, including the user’s own contact details with a valid zip code that was linked to the ZipCodes table. Similarly, sample entries for products covered various computer parts and accessories, with particular emphasis on differentiating retail price and the actual price charged, especially for promotional items like Windows 7. Orders associated contacts with specific date entries, and line items detailed individual product orders, quantities, and charges. Ensuring data accuracy and consistency was critical, with proper entry of primary keys, foreign keys, and references across tables.

Establishing Relationships

Defining relationships among tables ensures data integrity and supports meaningful queries. Using Access’s Relationship Tool, primary keys such as ContactID, ProductID, and OrderID were linked appropriately with foreign keys in related tables. For example, the ContactID in the Contacts table connects to the ContactID in Orders, and the ZipCode in ZipCodes links to corresponding entries in Contacts. The relationship between Products and LineItems enables detailed order analysis, while OrderID in Orders and LineItems maintains order-item associations. Proper configuration of one-to-many relationships facilitates accurate retrieval of data across entities and prevents data anomalies.

Query Construction

The final stage involved creating specific queries to extract essential business insights. Each query was carefully designed, named following the pattern QLastnameX, for example, QSmith1, to align with assignment conventions. These queries included:

  • Listing all customers’ first and last names, regardless of their order status, ensuring user’s inclusion.
  • Displaying customer names along with full address details for comprehensive contact tracking.
  • Retrieving order IDs placed by a specific customer, such as “Jane Wu,” demonstrating filtering capabilities.
  • Identifying the charged price for a particular product like Windows 7, showing how to extract specific field information.
  • Listing products ordered on a specific date, with customer last names and product details, exemplifying date-based queries.
  • Generating a list of customers who have placed at least one order, to evaluate customer activity.
  • Listing products with retail prices exceeding $100, aiding inventory pricing analysis.
  • Retrieving detailed contact information for a specific ContactID, for example, ID=4, demonstrating targeted data extraction.

Each query was tested against sample data to validate accuracy, and syntax was adjusted to handle various data cases, ensuring reliable report generation.

Conclusion

The systematic approach to building this Access database underscores the importance of meticulous design, relational integrity, and precise querying for effective business management. Proper naming conventions, relationship setup, and data validation are essential for ensuring functional correctness. The sample queries provided demonstrate practical retrieval of business-critical information, aiding WizBang Computers in making data-driven decisions. This exercise highlights core database principles that are widely applicable in various organizational contexts, reaffirming Access’s utility as a powerful tool for small business data management.

References

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