Module
2.1
Task 4 - Sorting Records |
A.M.D.G.
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One advantage
of computerised databases is that you can very easily organise data
in a particular way. This is called sorting. When you sort
a database you choose which field or fields you want to put in order
and which order - ascending or descending.
A simple
sort puts the records in order by one field, e.g. sort pupils by surname.
This is fine unless two pupils have the same surname. In this case you
must perform a complex sort. In a complex sort you
sort on one field and then on another, e.g. sort pupils by surname then,
if any surnames are the same, sort by forename.
For
example,
| Smith, Jamie |
|
Robertson,
Tom |
| Smith, Edward |
Sorted by
Surname |
Smith, Jamie |
| Taylor,
James |
in ascending
order |
Smith, Edward |
| Robertson,
Tom |
|
Smith, Clare |
| Smith, Clare
|
|
Taylor,
James |
| Smith, Jamie |
|
Robertson,
Tom |
| Smith, Edward |
Sorted by
surname |
Smith, Clare |
| Taylor,
James |
then forename,
both |
Smith, Edward |
| Robertson,
Tom |
in ascending
order |
Smith, Jamie |
| Smith, Clare |
|
Taylor,
James |
- Open
your Table 1 in the Task 4 file
- Click
on the Module Name field
- Press
the Sort Ascending tool,
- Next,
Click on the Duration In Weeks field and press the Sort Descending
tool,
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Answer
the following questions in your jotter.
1. When text
is sorted in descending order, does it go from A to Z or from Z to
A?
2. When you sort
Duration In Weeks in descending order, what order are Module Number
and Module Name displayed in?
3. What is the
main advantage in being able to sort information?
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