Q2 IT & Microsoft Access Revision Notes Grade 12 PDF

Al manar language School American Section IT Department Q2 IT Revision Notes Grade 12 Cloud computing is a transformative technology that let the individuals and businesses access and utilize computing resources. It involves delivering computing services—including serve...

Al manar language School American Section IT Department Q2 IT Revision Notes Grade 12 Cloud computing is a transformative technology that let the individuals and businesses access and utilize computing resources. It involves delivering computing services—including servers, storage, databases, networking, software, analytics, and intelligence—over the Internet (“the cloud”) to offer faster innovation, flexible resources, and economies of scale. Key Characteristics of Cloud Computing: On-demand self-service: Broad network access: Resource pooling: Measured service: Types of Cloud Computing Services: 1. Software as a Service (SaaS): very important o Examples: Google Workspace, Microsoft 365, Salesforce, Dropbox. 2. Platform as a Service (PaaS): very important o Examples: Google App Engine, Microsoft Azure, AWS Elastic Beanstalk. 3. Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS): very important o Examples: Amazon EC2, Microsoft Azure Virtual Machines, Google Compute Engine. Benefits of Cloud Computing: Cost-effectiveness: Pay-per-use model reduces upfront infrastructure costs. Scalability and flexibility: Easily adapt to changing demands. Reliability and availability: High availability and disaster recovery capabilities. Increased productivity and efficiency: Streamline operations and access data from anywhere. Examples of Cloud Computing in Action:  Online banking: Securely manage financial transactions and access account information. E-commerce platforms: Host online stores and process payments. Video streaming services: Deliver high-quality video content on demand. Social media platforms: Connect users and share content. Healthcare applications: Store and manage patient records, facilitate telemedicine. ********************************************************************************************************* What is a Database? o Organized collection of related data. o Stores information in a structured way. o Examples: Student records, customer data, inventory. Definition: Microsoft Access is a Database Management System (DBMS) that combines a relational database engine with a graphical interface. Why use a Database? o Efficient data storage and retrieval. o Data integrity and consistency. o Data sharing and collaboration. o Powerful analysis capabilities. Key Features: o Data is highly organized and structured. o Allows linking of data (e.g., customer orders). o Provides connectivity to external databases and applications. 2. Key Components of an Access Database Components: o Tables: Store structured data in rows and columns. o Queries: Extract and manipulate data from tables. o Forms: Simplify data entry and display. o Reports: Summarize and format data for presentation. o Macros: Automate tasks and improve functionality. 3. Designing a Database 1- Planning Phase: o Determine the purpose of the database. o Identify the entities and their attributes. o Define relationships between entities. 2-Creating Tables: o Design table structure with appropriate fields and data types. o Establish primary and foreign keys to link tables. Data Types: (very important) o Short Text: Up to 255 characters. o Number: For calculations. o Date/Time: Stores dates and times. o Currency: For monetary values. o AutoNumber: Generates unique IDs. o Yes/No: Stores binary data (e.g., True/False). o Attachment: Store multimedia files. o Calculated: Fields derived using expressions. Primary Key: Ensures uniqueness in a table. Can be a single field (e.g., EmployeeID) or combined fields. 3-Entering and Editing Data: o Use forms or datasheet view to enter and modify data. o Perform data validation to ensure data accuracy. 4-Filtering and Sorting Data: o Use filters to display specific records based on criteria. o Sort data in ascending or descending order. 5-Creating and Running Queries: o Design queries using the Query Design Grid. o Use operators (AND, OR, NOT) to combine criteria. o Perform calculations (sum, average, count). 6-. Creating Forms and Reports Form Design: o Choose a form template or create a custom form. o Add controls (text boxes, labels, buttons) to the form. o Set properties for controls to control their appearance and behavior. Types of Forms: o Single (Basic): Displays one record at a time. o Continuous (Multiple Items): Shows multiple records. o Datasheet: Mimics the table view. o Split: Combines Single and Datasheet views. 7-Report Design: o Select a report template or create a custom report. o Add controls to display data in a desired format. 8-Queries Definition: Queries retrieve and manipulate data. Types: o Select Query: Extracts specific data. o Action Queries: Perform database actions like updates or deletions. o Parameter Queries: Use user-provided input for dynamic results. o Aggregate Queries: Summarize data with functions (SUM, AVG). 9- Reports Purpose: o Summarize and present data. o Provide formatted output, ready for printing. Key Features: Grouping and sorting capabilities.- Built-in calculation options.- Conditional formatting for emphasis. Relationships Normalization: o Organizes data to reduce redundancy. o Ensures efficient storage and access. Types of Relationships: o One-to-One: Each record in Table A links to one in Table B. o One-to-Many: A single record in Table A links to multiple in Table B. o Many-to-Many: Requires a junction table to manage links. Referential Integrity: o Ensures linked data remains consistent. o Prevents orphaned records. *********************************************************************************************************** End of Revision