Paradox 9: Advanced

Course description

Overview: Students will learn to structure tables properly, use the principles of data normalization and table relationships, enable data-entry accuracy, use queries effectively, and enhance form and report designs to present data effectively.

Prerequisites: Paradox 9: Introduction or equivalent knowledge.

Performance-based objectives

Lesson objectives help students become comfortable with the course, and also provide a means to evaluate learning. Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

*           Work with keyed tables by structuring them properly and by creating secondary indexes.

*           Organize tables in a database by following data-normalization rules.

*           Classify tables by determining the types of relationships they have, and create relationships between tables by linking and establishing referential integrity.

*           Increase the accuracy of data entry by specifying validity checks and creating lookup tables.

*           Manipulate data in tables by using queries to search for special characters, update multiple records, and link tables.

*           Create custom forms that use memo fields, calculated fields, and combo boxes.

*           Create custom tabular reports by changing a style sheet, defining a table frame object, adding enhancements to improve the report appearance, and using page layout and print settings.

Course content

Lesson 1: Working with Keyed Tables

Working with Key Fields

Secondary Indexes

Lesson 2: Principals of Table Design

Designing Tables to Normalize Data

Normalizing Data for Fourth and Fifth Normal Forms

Lesson 3: Principals of Table Relationships

Analyzing Table Relationships

Using the Data Model Designer

Establishing Referential Integrity

Lesson 4: Data Validation Techniques

Working with Validity Checks

Working with Lookup Tables

Lesson 5: Advanced Query Techniques

Sorting and Selecting Records

Searching for Special Characters

Using CHANGETO, INSERT and DELETE Queries

Creating Table Relationships in Queries

Lesson 6: Customizing and Automating Forms

Working with Memo Fields

Customizing Forms

Automating Forms

Using Forms Based on Related Tables and Creating Launcher Forms

Lesson 7: Enhanced Tabular Report Design

Tabular Report Design Enhancements

Using Page Layout and Print Settings

Appendix A: Creating Basic Charts