[Year 12 IT Apps] Data tables?

[Mark Kelly]

You notice something new every day...

The ITA study design refers to "KK3.1.12 - design tools including ... 
data tables, structure charts..."

Now, I can find data structure tables and data structure charts in the 
texts - but surely 'data tables' are just tables - with data in them. 
Those are not design tools.

The Potts text's discussion seems to equate 'data structure diagrams' 
with Entity Relation Diagrams, showing the relationships between tables 
in a database.  Fair enough as a design tool.

It describes 'data structure tables' like data dictionaries - defining a 
table's field names, types, validation rules etc.  Also fair enough.

It also somewhat worryingly says (p43) that "database tables cannot hold 
formulas. Calculations can only be performed in objects such as queries, 
forms and reports" - tell that to a Filemaker Pro database developer! 
Very Access-centric!

In brief, do you clever folk reckon the study design really means data 
tables, or is it VCAA secret code for 'data structure tables'?  There's 
a pretty big difference.

Perhaps Paula can elucidate...

-- 
Mark Kelly
Manager - Information Systems
McKinnon Secondary College
McKinnon Rd McKinnon 3204, Victoria, Australia
Direct line / Voicemail: 8520 9085
School Phone +613 8520 9000
School Fax +613 9578 9253
kel at mckinnonsc.vic.edu.au

Webmaster - http://www.mckinnonsc.vic.edu.au
IT Lecture notes: http://vceit.com
Moderator: IT Applications Mailing List

RealMenDon'tNeedSpacebars.