Introducing databasesField types

When creating tables in a database, it is necessary to define the type of data that will be held in each field.

Text field

• Stores words, numbers and other characters such as punctuation marks. A forename, surname and postcode are all examples of text fields.

Number field

• Stores both whole numbers and decimal numbers
• Within database packages, it is possible to define the number of values that can appear after a decimal place if storing decimal numbers

Date field

• Dates can be stored using the date field type
• Date of birth, the date of exams and events in a mobile phone calendar are all stored as date fields
• Within database packages, it is possible to set the format for how a date appears on screen e.g. dd/mm/yyyy
• Some packages use one field type to store date/time

Time field

• A time field stores a specific time
• Within database packages, it is often possible to set the format for how a time appears on screen
• Some packages use one field type to store date/time

Boolean field

• A Boolean field stores either true or false, often showing on screen as Yes or No
• An organisation could use this to see if a member would like a newsletter or not.