1. rows & columns
(the) Little Data Project
littledataproject.org

2. rows & columns
What exactly is a
column? What is a
row? How do
columns and rows
help us lend structure
to a database?

3. set the table
A table consists of fields arranged in vertical
columns and horizontal rows. Each field is assigned to
both a column and a row.

4. a vertical stack
A key is a unique identifier, and a value is the
actual data that is being identified.

5. named columns
At the top of each column is a name (or key),
declaring what content (value) is expected.

6. attribute
The column name or key is also called an attribute.

7. attribute
Data in a column reveals something about a group. Here:
“The kids range in age from 14 to 16 years.”

8. a horizontal row
A row lays out horizontally, and includes one field
from each of the columns.

9. row = record
In a relational database, a row is also called a
record. Its data often tells a story on its own.

10. row = record
“The 14-year-old boy from Tulsa, named Billy, has
orange hair and is left-handed.”

11. a unique identifier
One column should be reserved for unique
identifiers that distinguishes one row from others.

12. record ID
The identifier allows us to distinguish even
between two rows that are otherwise identical.

13. a field holds a value
A field contains the actual value expected at
the intersection of a row and a column.

14. (the) Little Data Project
littledataproject.org