WILDCARE DATA

BASE

B Y MO L LY A

T K I NS O N

FIELD NAMES AND DATA TYPESFor the field names, I used the guideline names given in

the data items list taken from the website.For the data types, I linked the first 5 groups to the

data Type Text so that I could limit the amount of characters that could be inputted for each field. This will help to cut down the memory space for the database and will improve and increase operating time as there will be less data for the computer to sift through. For the Field Name Weblink, I used the data type Hyperlink, so that any information put into this section was automatically linked to its respective web page and saves the person inputting the data having to go through and individually linking each web address to its relevant page.

Finally for the field name adoption Cost, I changed the data type to currency because the data that will be inputted into this field will be in monetary form. Also, it insures that there are no formatting errors should the person inputting the data forget to include the currency symbol as the program will do it automatically.

DESCRIPTIONSFor the Descriptions, I placed keys for

the encoded categories (Status and Threat), so that anyone new to the data would know what the information in the database meant. I also used the description to put in the suitable answers for the categories with validation rules (Group) so that the person operating the database would know which key terms would be excepted by the system and which would be rejected.

FIELD PROPERTIES: NAME OF SPECIESFor the properties of the field name ‘Name of Species’ I decided to limit the field size to 29 characters so that I could save the amount of memory space that the database takes up. This will also help to decrease the operation time of the system as there will be less data for the computer to go through. I also used the primary key option for the ‘name of species’ , which means that no duplicate entries will be allowed to be imputed, so that it saves memory space and time as is stated above.

FIELD PROPERTIES: GROUPFor the field properties for the field name group, I decided to limit the field size to 17 characters so as to save memory space and operating time. I also included a validation rule, as on the Database fields PDF, we were given specific criteria as to what data would be allowed in this field. I have included an image of my error message in use.

FIELD PROPERTIES: STATUSFor the Field Properties for the Field name ‘Status’ I limited the field size to 6 characters as the maximum length of the code was 6 characters and so I was able to mange the memory size and operation time of the system. I also included a drop down menu to limit the information that people can input into the database as it was specified in the Database Fields PDF that only certain pieces of Data could be inputted into the chart. I also included a validation rule as a fail safe in case the drop down list didn’t stop people entering the correct data

FIELD PROPERTIES: THREATFor the field properties for the field name ‘Threat’ I limited the field size to 1 character as the code for this category needed only one character. I also included a drop down list because the Database Fields PDF specified that data that could be included for this category. I then tested my drop down box. I also included a Validation Rule as a fail safe in case the drop down list didn’t limit the results that people could input.

FIELD PROPERTIES: ADOPTION COST

For the Field Name Adoption Cost, I changed the format to currency so that the data submitted would automatically be converted into monetary value. I also limited the amount of decimal places to two as there would only be two decimal places in money.

IMPORTING DATAWhen I imported the data, I was given 175 results, which was

the same amount of results that were on the list of data.

NEW DATA

For the three pieces of data that I had to import, I went onto the people’s trust website, to generate a list of endangered animals, then I went on the IUCN Website to generate more information. To decided in the level of endangerment they were by finding the average endangerment of the animals across both sites. I then used the information from the websites to evaluate what was causing their extinction and then finally to establish what the adoption cost for each animal should be, I filtered the results down to animals of the same group, with the endangerment rating and the same cause for their endangerment and then averaged out the cost for animals in this category.

DATA ENTRY FORMI also created a Data

Entry form, to allow people to input new data into the database. I included the Wildcare logo and keys to understand what the abbreviations and the colours mentioned in the drop down lists mean.

FEEDBACK• The form is easy to use• It looks professional. • The buttons work really well and help to navigate the

database effectively• The overall design is really attractive to the target audience