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Activity Worksheet 1

Database Activity

You need to use this worksheet in conjunction with your "Carpenter's Cars" Excel spreadsheets: DATABASE.XLS and PLA.XLS. You need to download these by clicking on the links. Once you have the spreadsheets, open them in Excel and follow the instructions given to you on screen. Use this worksheet along with the spreadsheet - DATABASE.XLS -where requested.

Activity One

1. Record the details of the Vauxhall Astra's that Carpenter's Cars can offer Mr Johnson in the table below.

1. What can Carpenter's Cars offer Miss Peacock? Record the details in the table below.

1. Can Carpenter's Cars offer Kevin what he wants?.....................

If so, how much money will he need to make this purchase?.......................

Activity Two

Record the answers to the following questions in your book:

Write down the meaning of record and field, as they apply to databases.

1. Suggest a disadvantage of storing records in alphabetical order.
2. Suggest an alternative order for the records.

1. List some applications of databases in:

1. business
2. education
3. medicine
4. science
5. government

Choose one application in each category in Question 6, and state what personal information could be included in the database.

Activity Three

Carpenter's Cars keep records of all their customers. Following the creation of their database for their stock, they are now considering transferring the paper-based records of their customers on to a database as well.

By using the Internet to base your research, what are the implications of this regarding the Data Protection Act?

Advise Carpenter's Cars on the Eight Principles of the Data Protection Act. Details of this can be found on the Government Information Web Site. Here is the address that you will need to search to get started:

http://www.direct.gov.uk/