Operation Manual

Note
If any of these fields requires a mandatory entry, set Entry required to Yes. A blank field
will then not be allowed. In general, only set Entry required to Yes if something must
always be put in that field. By default, Entry required is set to No.
• CollectionID: Change AutoValue from No to Yes. (example of a mandatory entry)
• AlbumTitle:
– Entry required: Leave Entry required as No, unless all of your music is in albums.
– Length: Unless you have an album title that exceeds 100 characters counting the
spaces, do not change the length.
• Artist: Use the Default setting. And since music always has artists, set Entry Required to
Yes.
• Date Purchased: Field type: default date setting. Entry required should be No. (You may not
know the date.)
Note
In Base the maximum length of each field must be specified on creation. It is not easy
to change this later, so if in doubt specify a greater length. Base uses VCHAR as the
field format for text fields. This format uses only the actual number of characters in a
field up to the limit set, so a field containing 20 characters will occupy only 20
characters even if the limit is set at 100. Two album titles containing 25 and 32
characters respectively will use space for 25 and 32 characters and not 100 characters.
• Format: Only change the Entry Required setting: from No to Yes.
• Notes: No changes are required.
• NumberofTracks: Change the Field Type to Tiny Integer [TINYINT]. Your allowable number
of tracks will be 127. Small Integer [SMALLINT] would allow 32768 tracks if you needed
more than 127 tracks.
• Photo: Use the default settings.
When you have finished, click Next.
Note
Each field has a Field Type, which must be specified. Types include text, integer, date,
and decimal. If the field is going to have general information in it (for example, a name
or a description), use text. If the field will always contain a number (for example, a
price), the type should be decimal or another numerical field. The wizard picks the right
field type, so to get an idea of how this works, see what the wizard has chosen for
different fields.
Step 3: Set primary key
1) Create a primary key should be checked.
2) Select option Use an existing field as a primary key.
3) In the Fieldname drop down list, select CollectionID.
4) Check Auto value if it is not already checked.
5) Click Next.
Chapter 8 Getting Started with Base | 225