AQA GCSE Computer Science 8525 Unit 3.7 Interactive Preview

Relational Databases and SQL

A colourful, interactive revision guide preview designed to help GCSE Computer Science students understand tables, records, fields, keys, relationships and SQL queries.

Preview version: this sample shows selected sections only. The full guide includes the complete topic coverage, more SQL examples, exam-style practice and additional reveal-answer activities.

✓ What you will practise

  • Understand why databases are used to store structured data.
  • Identify tables, records and fields in a relational database.
  • Explain primary keys and foreign keys.
  • Read and interpret simple SQL queries.

3.7 AQA specification focus

This preview is based on the AQA GCSE Computer Science database topic. It supports revision of relational databases and SQL query structure.

tables records fields primary keys foreign keys SQL

DB Key database ideas

Field

A field is one category of data, such as StudentID, Forename or Class.

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This interaction is available in the full guide, where each key term includes extra explanation, examples and exam-focused checks.

Record

A record is one complete set of data about one item, person or thing.

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A record is like one row in a table.

Table

A table stores related records. A school database may have separate tables for students, classes and teachers.

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More interactive explanations are included in the full guide, including linked tables, keys and practice questions.

🔑 Primary keys and foreign keys

Keys are used to identify records and link tables together. This is one of the most important ideas in relational databases.

Primary key

A primary key uniquely identifies each record in a table.

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The full guide includes exam-focused examples that help students decide which field is the best primary key.

Foreign key

A foreign key is a field in one table that links to the primary key in another table.

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ClassID in a Student table could link to ClassID in a Class table.

SQL Example table and SQL query

Here is a small sample table. In the full guide, students practise with several larger examples and exam-style SQL questions.

StudentID Forename Class TargetGrade
101 Aisha 10A 8
102 Daniel 10B 7
103 Maya 10A 9

Sample SQL query

SELECT Forename, TargetGrade
FROM Student
WHERE Class = '10A';
Reveal what this query does

It displays the forename and target grade for students who are in class 10A.

? Preview practice questions

Question 1

In the sample Student table, which field would be the best primary key?

Reveal answer

StudentID, because each student has a unique ID.

Question 2

What is the difference between a field and a record?

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This answer is included in the full interactive guide, along with exam-focused explanation and extra checking questions.

Question 3

What would this SQL condition select?
WHERE TargetGrade >= 8

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The full guide includes more SQL conditions, worked examples and reveal-answer practice to help students build confidence.

Question 4

Why are foreign keys useful in a relational database?

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The full guide unlocks this answer with additional explanation of linked tables, primary keys, foreign keys and relationships.

Full interactive guide available

This preview shows only a small part of the full resource. The complete guide is designed as a premium revision product for GCSE Computer Science students preparing for AQA 8525.

Preview resource by LogicPath Education · AQA GCSE Computer Science 8525 · Unit 3.7