Outputs (Edexcel IGCSE Ict)

Database outputs

Spec point — 6.2.7

What is a database output?

• A database output is often done through reports
• Reports can be formatted and **customised **to display data in a user-friendly manner
• Reports should** display all the required data and labels** in full
• For example, if you're creating a sales report, it should include all relevant fields, like product name, quantity sold, and total sales

Using appropriate headers and footers

• Report header

  • This appears at the beginning of the report
  • This is typically where you would put the report title and other introductory information

• Report footer

  • This appears at the end of the report
  • This is where you might put summary or conclusion information

• Page header

  • Appears at the top of each page
  • This might contain the page number and the date

• Page footer

  • Appears at the bottom of each page
  • This might also contain the page number and the date

Producing different output layouts

• You can control the display of data and labels in your report
• For example, you might choose a tabular format, where data is arranged in rows and columns, or a columnar format, where each data field is listed vertically

Simple report layout with data in rows

Simple report layout with data shown in columns

Aligning data and labels

• Data and labels should be aligned appropriately
• For example, numeric data is often right-aligned, and decimal points should be aligned for easy comparison

Controlling the display format of numeric data

• You can control the number of decimal places displayed, the use of a currency symbol, and the display of percentages
• For example, a total sales field might be displayed with two decimal places and a currency symbol