2.2: Tables, Views, and Indexes
Read chapter 7, which introduces the relational database model. Relational databases are one of the most commonly-used database models. The chapter includes a mathematical foundation for the model in relational algebra and relational calculus. These are also the basis of the standard database language SQL. Most current database systems support the relational model.
You have probably used spreadsheet software like Microsoft Excel or OpenOffice. If so, you have likely used tables, views, and indexes while manipulating your spreadsheet data. These are all concepts used in relational databases. This video explains the concepts of relational databases using Microsoft Excel. A "primary key" is a special type of index that is unique, and the main (or primary) value used to locate an entry in a database.
This lecture explains the basic concepts of relational databases, including tables, columns, primary keys, foreign keys, and referential integrity. It then illustrates them using a customer order database. The latter part of the lecture uses Microsoft Access to implement a relational database.