VVi Database

VVi use an SQL Server Database.

Database (DB) manipulation has been kept very simple to allow access to all veteran users.

The DB interface appears throughout the VVi web site.

CLICK on the Database on the main menu, and then Database (DB) on the sun-menu that appears above. This will first open on your screen. You will note the grey menu tabs starting with 'Query Periodicals' to the far left. All of these grey tabs are pre-made queries to allow you to easily get the data you want. Additional queries will be added over time as the DB grows and/or becomes more complex.

Select the query you want to perform on the database and follow the instructions.

In this example we will use the 'Query by Record Type'. As in Instruction , select the highlighted fold down part of the menu you want to manipulate. In this case, we want 'Find' particular records by a type of record. CLICK!

The 'Query Record Type' page opens as below. From the 'Find by Record Type' box, select what type of record you are looking for. Remember, the queries will differ in what you have to insert in the control field. Some are word searches, some are date searches, etc. In this case, we are going to CLICK the 'Bio' input.

As a result, this is the kind of page that will show up. In other words all the pages that were entered into the DB as a 'Bio' record. From here you can perform the same functions as per Instruction 1, with the 'More' '+' sign. From here you can start to narrow down your search to the data you are actually looking.

A SQL formatted database page will open showing records by serial number in descending order. You will notice the Ser number to the left, an Article Intro (brief summary, date and a More column with a '+' sign. When you go into the 'General Info' place, following the same procedures, you will also notice under some of the column titles, arrowheads pointing up and down ., This allows you to perform a column sort. Keep the3se arrowheads in mind as later when searching the DB, you will find they do come in handy to narrow your search of the DB.

You will also note 'Display' with a fold down menu of 5, 10, 15, 20. This allows the number of records you want to view at one time.

Beside the 'Display' , you will note 'Export' and another fold down menu. You may export this summarized data page to an Excel spreadsheet, a Word doc, or simply as plain text. As well, you may make a pdf copy of the record(s) as annotated by the pdf button.

At the bottom of the data page, you will also find arrows to indicate top move forward or backward on the list of data pages, an arrow that points to the top to allow to return to the top of the data page, and a fold-up/fold-down menu, which lets you select what data page you want to go to.

You will also notice is that as you move the cursor over a record, that record becomes highlighted in yellow. You will also notice the green '+' sign. This is for more detailed info on that highlighted record. CLICK on the '+' sign and a new data page will open.

This is what a completed, single record data page looks like. You can send this page as email through your browser. Copy the page from your browser.

Go ahead and have fun, playing with the controls. You can't hurt the database, nor your PC or Mac.