A data type
What is a data type? Describe the relationship between a field and a data type. What are some rules for selecting appropriate data types for fields when designing tables in Access?
Sample Answer
A data type is a classification of data that determines how the data is stored and manipulated in a database. Each field in a table must have a data type, and the data type determines the following:
- The size of the field
- The type of data that can be stored in the field
- The operations that can be performed on the data in the field
The relationship between a field and a data type is that the data type defines the type of data that can be stored in the field. For example, a field with a data type of Text can store any type of text, including letters, numbers, and symbols. A field with a data type of Number can only store numeric data.