Single-Table Database Design for IGCSE Computer Science

Introduction

In database design, a single-table database is a simple approach where all the data for a particular entity is stored in a single table. This is suitable for scenarios where the data is not highly complex and doesn't involve many relationships between different entities. This section will guide you through defining a single-table database from given requirements, a key skill for the IGCSE Computer Science 0478 exam.

Understanding the Requirements

The first step is to carefully analyze the given requirements. Identify the key pieces of information that need to be stored. These requirements will dictate the columns (attributes) of your table.

Designing the Table

Based on the requirements, you need to design the table structure. This involves deciding on the column names and their data types.

Column Name	Data Type	Description
{Attribute 1}	{Data Type}	{Description of Attribute 1}
{Attribute 2}	{Data Type}	{Description of Attribute 2}

Example: Let's say the requirement is to store information about students in a class. The requirements might include: Student ID, Name, Age, and Course.

In this case, the table design would be:

Column Name	Data Type	Description
StudentID	Integer	Unique identifier for each student
Name	Text	The full name of the student
Age	Integer	The age of the student
Course	Text	The course the student is enrolled in

Primary Key

Every table should have a primary key. The primary key is a column (or a combination of columns) that uniquely identifies each record in the table. In the example above, StudentID would likely be the primary key.

Data Types

Choosing the correct data type for each column is important. Common data types include:

• Integer: For whole numbers (e.g., age, number of items).
• Text: For storing characters and strings (e.g., name, course).
• Boolean: For storing true/false values (e.g., isActive).
• Date: For storing dates.

Example Scenario

Requirement: A library needs to store information about books. The information to be stored includes: Book ID, Title, Author, ISBN, and Publication Year.

Single-Table Database Design:

Column Name	Data Type	Description
BookID	Integer	Unique identifier for each book
Title	Text	The title of the book
Author	Text	The author of the book
ISBN	Text	The International Standard Book Number
PublicationYear	Integer	The year the book was published

Primary Key: BookID

Conclusion

Designing a single-table database involves understanding the requirements, identifying the necessary attributes, choosing appropriate data types, and defining a primary key. This approach is a fundamental concept in database design and is essential for the IGCSE Computer Science 0478 exam.