A Level Computer Science OCR Practice Exam

What purpose do fields serve in a database?

1. They represent the location of the database files

2. They are raw text entries in the database

3. They are 'headings' for the data to be organized when inputted

4. They store the primary keys of the database

The correct answer is: They are 'headings' for the data to be organized when inputted

Fields in a database are essential because they act as headings or categories under which data is organized. Each field in a database table corresponds to a specific attribute of the data being stored, allowing for structured and efficient data entry, retrieval, and management. For instance, in a customer database, there might be fields for "Customer ID," "Name," and "Email Address." These fields define the type of data that can be entered in each column, making it clear how to organize and categorize the information. The role of fields enhances the database's usability by ensuring that data is consistently organized and easily accessible. Through the use of fields, databases can maintain integrity, allowing for accurate querying and reporting based on the various categories or parameters established by those fields.