What is a QBE?

When working with small amounts of data you will most likely find it easy to locate specific records when you need to. However when you begin to add more records to your tables, and begin working with more than one table, it becomes more difficult to find files when you need them. This is the stage in your life where queries are useful.

We all know what the word "Query" means in everyday language. It simply means a question you ask. We ask questions all the time in order to gather information. Consider the dBase environment in a similar light. You ask a question! It gives a responce! Of course you can't just walk up to a dBase program and say "Hi...So how many unpaid customers do I have today?" It sounds like a nice and easy way to do it. But there are certain steps you need to follow in order to get your answers! And that is what you will learn if you stick around for just a little while!

The process of running a Query is a simple one. In simple terms you create a Query by specifying certain criteria about Each Field. You the save the Query and give it a name that you will remeber. Finally you run the query when you need to in order to ask a particular question of your data.

When you run your Query dBase applies your criteria to your table(s) and comes up with your 'answer' which is displayed as a view. Basically a view is like any other table you create, except you cannot save it when you are finished (Kalman, 1994: 64).

But why query? You ask! Well, for one thing it's easier than going through all your tables to find something! Not to mention the fact that you can run your query whenever you need to, wthout having to re specify your query specifications. The query does it all. Well most of it!!! This is where we come in!

Let's create a Simple Query to get started.
Let's create a Query with more than one table
Let's alter our query with the program editor. YAY!!