| Database A database provides a way of organizing information so that you can easily find what you are looking for. Some types of databases are: Print Databases
The index of a book is a print index. It allows you to go quickly to a topic in the book. A phone book is another type of print database. | | Electronic Databases
We usually think of searchable electronic indexes and catalogs when we refer
to databases. Quest, InfoTrac, Periodical Abstracts, and ABI/Inform
are examples of electronic databases. They let you quickly
go to a topic in books or periodicals.
| In an electronic database each article or book has its own record, which provides information about it.
Each record is composed of individual pieces of information called fields. Fields include such information as the author, title, publisher, subject heading, etc. for that item. Each of these fields is a searchable access point to the information. |