30/12/08

[sobrique]

How would you explain the difference between spreadsheet and database to someone who doesn't really appreciate the distinction?

Comments

[http://users.livejournal.com/ree_/]

Go with the book-keeping/accounting vs. data storage. It worked for my mother.

[cbr-paul.livejournal.com]

That's as good a layperson's explanation I can think of: calculating rather than looking up records.

[http://users.livejournal.com/_gh0st_/]

and mention Excel as an example for a spreadsheet. everyone has used that surely?

[queex.livejournal.com]

To add to the previous:

A spreadsheet is one big piece of paper.

A database is a number of different pieces of paper of varying sizes. No matter what you do, you can't get it all down onto a single sheet of any size.

(Not strictly true, but we should keep the horror of the single table database well out of the picture).

Or:

To change something in a spreadsheet, you need to change a lot of things- like altering the date on a large number of newsletters by hand. To change something on a database, you only have to change the sign on the noticeboard- everyone who needs the information will come and look at it.

[darkgodfred.livejournal.com]

A database is a very clever filing cabinet. It allows you to store information such that it can be easily found, sorted and crossreferenced.

A spreadsheet is a very clever calculator. It does lots of complicated maths and makes numbers dance.

[oftendistracted.livejournal.com]

A spreadsheet is something that only one person can edit or look up data from at a time (read-only versions notwithstanding).

A database is a collection of spreadsheets, all of which exist and may be accessed or modified concurrently.

[darkgodfred.livejournal.com]

Unless your database is Access. In which case you've already made a mistake.

[necessitysslave.livejournal.com]

oh so true!!!!

[mcnazgul.livejournal.com]

"A spreadsheet is used primarily for calculating or inventory. A database is used for organising records in tables and finding stuff in those records which may be of interest. If you want to know more that'll be £250 a day, plus expenses, for a consultation."

@darkgodfred: Love the filing cabinet description. And Access isn't a mistake. It's just that people have unrealistic ideas about what it's capable of. One doesn't get Frankenstein's Monster to do the dishes, no matter how flowery his pinafore.

[crashbarrier.livejournal.com]

Welcome to my world:D:D:D:D:D:D:D, Where excel is used as a database....*cries*