Accessing your data
To get information from a database, you write a query, which
is a request to the database to retrieve a specific set of data.
Use QMF to "communicate" your request for information in three
different ways. Each of the three ways has its own rules:
- Prompted query
- Prompted query is an easy-to-use query method that displays
prompt panels to help you choose the specific information you are
looking for. You do not need to know the syntax for your database
request; it does the work for you by converting your request into
a language the database can understand. It is especially suited
for beginners and occasional QMF users. You can learn how to use
Prompted Query to access your data in Viewing the data in the database using prompted query.
- SQL (Structured Query Language)
- SQL is a powerful query language that lets you define, retrieve,
change, and authorize access to data. It has a specific syntax you
must follow so the database can process your request. It is especially
suited for users who must work with large amounts of data, and who
work with QMF frequently. You can learn how to use SQL to access
in your data in Viewing the data in the database using SQL statements.
- Query-by-Example (QBE)
- QBE is a graphical query method that lets you retrieve and
change data with just a few keystrokes. Appendix A. Query-by-example describes
how to use Query-by-Example to create queries.
