Databases & Charts

Chapter 11, Applied A-Level

Checking Data Entry

Databases are designed to be interrogated and give results based upon results of interrogation. It performs these searches by comparing data items. Data entered into a database is usually checked using a process called validation & vertification.

Validation
Validation is a process where the software checks that the data is reasonable . This does not mean that data entered is the correct data. Validation checks include the following; 1.) Range Checks 4.) Length Checks 2.) Look up Checks 5.) Type Checks 3.) Format checks

Validation
1.) Range Checks - checks that the data is within within a given range. For example if the company only sold boats made after the year 1989, a range check could ensure that the value in the year field was between 1990 and the present day

Validation
2.) Look - up check - making sure the data matches one of a limited number of valid entries For example,

A file look up check is used when there are a large number of entries.

Validation
3.) Format Check - ensures that data matches a predetermined pattern of letters and / or numbers. We also know this as an input mask. An example of an format check could be thats There are five numbers followed by a space then six more numbers

Validation
4.) Length Check - ensures that data is a Reasnoble length For example the forename could be between 2 to 25 letters

Validation
5.) Type Check - ensures that the data is of a particular data type For example for a price only numbers should be entered.

Verification
Verification is a process used to check that data has been entered accuretly , is consistant and has not been corrupted. There are two types of verification.

Verification
Verification Type 1.) Double entry vertification One type is used to check the integrityof the data as it is passed between 2 parts of a computer system or from one computer to another. This looks for errors in the transmission of data.

Verification Type 2.) Visual vertification The other is used to check that data has been entered correctly into a computer system. This second type is relevant to data entry in databases.

Verification
Double entry verification - data is entered twice. usually by different users and the entries are compared by the system. If two entries are identical then the data is accepted. If the two entries are different then the data is flagged and the incorrect entry is collected by the user.

Verification
Visual verification - data is entered and compared to the data entered into the system. ; for example, by comparing the data on the data capture form with a printout of the database or entered data on the screen.