| Information Magic is supplied with some sample files that you may use to explore the features of a database before creating your own. | When the program starts, select 'Load an existing file'. You will see a list of datafiles to choose from. The 'Survey' file contains data on a set of children. It is a useful file to use to introduce the idea of searching, sorting and graphing to answer questions about the data. |  | It is helpful to think of a database as a set of information cards in a drawer. Each card contains information organised under headings. The Survey file contains information on a number of children. Each child's information is stored on a separate card. The same types of facts are recorded for each child. | Each 'card' in the database is called a record. Each fact recorded on a record is called a field. This picture shows three records. Each record contains 10 fields: Name, Age, Sex etc. | |
| The records can be viewed one at a time using the record view button and then the Navigation tool bar. | |  | | Alternatively, records can be viewed as a list using the list view button. | | | |
