2. Adding data

You can add data to a database using an 'insert' operation. There are various ways to insert data into a database table.

a) Direct command

Every database includes a command language in order to manipulate it. The most common database language is called SQL short for 'Structured Query Language'. This language includes an INSERT command.

This can be used to insert a row into a database table. For example an extra record could be inserted into this database table with a properly formatted INSERT command (you do not need to know SQL commands for this course).

b) Fill out a data entry form

With this method, the user is presented with a data input form, then a 'send' or 'submit' button is pressed to send that data to the database. In the background, the form data is converted into a properly formatted INSERT command.

c) Read in (import) from a file

Rather than enter all data into a database by hand, it's possible to copy it from an existing file. This can be done using an 'import' function that copies each row of data in the file into the relevant database table.