1
IMAGES: Canva and AI-generated images based on typical examination-style questions.
Important:
These study notes are revised and updated annually to align with the CAPS curriculum
and current examination requirements. The content is based on past examination
papers, tests and typical assessment question patterns.
The content was adapted and structured for examination preparation purposes. AI tools
were used to assist with formatting, rephrasing and differentiation.
These notes are designed to help learners:
• Understand key concepts
• Practise exam-style questions
• Identify important themes and patterns in assessments
• Revise important content in a structured way
To ensure learners work with the most relevant and up-to-date content, parents and
learners are encouraged to confirm that they are using the latest version of the notes. If
you are unsure whether you have the latest version, please feel free to contact me
at:
Please note that these notes are compiled as a structured study aid for examination
preparation. They do not replace the prescribed textbook or classroom instruction.
Important: Learners can use the Term 3 notes for focused Term 3 preparation.
Where applicable, it is also recommended that learners revise Term 1 and Term 2
notes together with the Term 3 notes.
Good luck
Juffrou Ansie
© 2026 Juffrou Ansie Study Notes. All rights reserved. This material may not be reproduced or distributed without written permission.
, 2
CONTENTS
Data and Information Management ........................................................................... 4
Data, information and knowledge .......................................................................... 4
Decision-making .................................................................................................. 6
Quality data ......................................................................................................... 9
Valuable information .......................................................................................... 11
Accessing and manipulating data ........................................................................ 13
Grouping and Reporting data ............................................................................... 16
Database Concepts ............................................................................................... 19
Database Maintenance ....................................................................................... 19
Database Design ................................................................................................ 23
Fields and Data Types ......................................................................................... 25
Primary Keys ...................................................................................................... 28
Relationships between tables.............................................................................. 31
Social Implications ................................................................................................ 33
Computer errors ................................................................................................. 33
Human errors ..................................................................................................... 36
Cybercrime ........................................................................................................ 38
Software Development ........................................................................................... 40
Good programming principles ............................................................................. 40
Algorithms ......................................................................................................... 41
Computational thinking ...................................................................................... 42
Software engineering principles ........................................................................... 43
Database Programming Concepts ........................................................................... 45
Connecting to a database ................................................................................... 45
Database transactions ........................................................................................ 46
Multi-form applications ....................................................................................... 47
GUI design ......................................................................................................... 47
Internet and World Wide Web .............................................................................. 49
© 2026 Juffrou Ansie Study Notes. All rights reserved. This material may not be reproduced or distributed without written permission.
, 3
Information Information is data that has been processed, organised or
presented in a meaningful way.
Information gives context to raw data and helps users understand
what the data represents.
Archiving Data Archiving means moving data that is no longer used regularly to
separate long-term storage. Archived data is not deleted. It is kept in
case it is needed for legal, financial or historical purposes.
Example:vA school may archive the records of learners who
completed Grade 12 rather than deleting them.
Knowledge Knowledge is the understanding gained by interpreting information
and combining it with experience, skills or previous understanding.
Knowledge helps a person recognise patterns, draw conclusions
and decide what action should be taken.
Data Data consists of raw facts that have not yet been processed or
organised into a meaningful form.
Informed An informed decision is a decision based on sufficient and reliable
Decisions information.
An informed decision is more likely to be successful because it is
supported by evidence
Decision- The process of selecting the most suitable action after analysing
making available information.
Quality Data Quality data is data that is suitable for its intended purpose. The
quality of data affects the reliability of the information produced
and the decisions made from it
Database Database maintenance refers to the processes used to keep
maintenance stored data accurate, complete, current and useful.
A database must be updated regularly because information may
change over time
Table A table stores data about a specific entity or subject.
Field A field stores one specific category of data. Fields are displayed as
columns in a table.
Record A record contains all the fields relating to one person, item or event.
Entity An entity is a person, object, place or event about which data is
stored.
Field Value A field value is the actual data stored in a field for a specific record.
Database A simple database structure may be shown as follows:
Structure Database → Table → Record → Field → Field value
Data Format The format controls how data is displayed without necessarily
changing the stored value.
Validation A validation rule restricts the values that may be entered into a
Rules field.
Although validation was covered previously the concept is applied
here as part of database design.
GIGO GIGO means Garbage In, Garbage Out.
© 2026 Juffrou Ansie Study Notes. All rights reserved. This material may not be reproduced or distributed without written permission.
, 4
If incorrect or poor-quality data is entered into a system the
information produced by the system will also be incorrect.
Algorithms An algorithm is a clear step-by-step set of instructions used to
solve a problem or complete a task.
Database Path The database path specifies where the database file is stored.
Absolute Path An absolute path gives the full location of a file. Example:
Relative Path A relative path identifies the database location in relation to the
application. Relative paths make applications easier to move
between computers because the program does not depend on a
specific drive or user folder.
Example:
Handling A program should display a clear error message when the
Connection connection fails.
Errors
Example: The database could not be opened. Check that the
database file is available and try again. The program should not
continue with database operations when no valid connection exists.
Methods A method is a named section of code that performs a specific task.
A method is written once and can be called whenever the task must
be performed.
Formal The variable declared in the method heading.
parameter
Actual The value or variable supplied when the method is called.
parameter
Value A value parameter receives a copy
Parameters of the value passed to the method.
Changes made to the parameter
inside the method do not change the
original variable in the calling code
Website A collection of related web pages stored under one domain name.
Web page A single document or page within a website.
Home page The main or opening page of a website.
Hyperlink A clickable item that opens another page, file or online location.
Web browser Software used to access and display web content.
Web server A computer that stores websites and sends web pages to users.
Data and Information Management
Data, information and knowledge
Relationship between Data, Information and Knowledge
The three concepts form a logical process:
© 2026 Juffrou Ansie Study Notes. All rights reserved. This material may not be reproduced or distributed without written permission.
IMAGES: Canva and AI-generated images based on typical examination-style questions.
Important:
These study notes are revised and updated annually to align with the CAPS curriculum
and current examination requirements. The content is based on past examination
papers, tests and typical assessment question patterns.
The content was adapted and structured for examination preparation purposes. AI tools
were used to assist with formatting, rephrasing and differentiation.
These notes are designed to help learners:
• Understand key concepts
• Practise exam-style questions
• Identify important themes and patterns in assessments
• Revise important content in a structured way
To ensure learners work with the most relevant and up-to-date content, parents and
learners are encouraged to confirm that they are using the latest version of the notes. If
you are unsure whether you have the latest version, please feel free to contact me
at:
Please note that these notes are compiled as a structured study aid for examination
preparation. They do not replace the prescribed textbook or classroom instruction.
Important: Learners can use the Term 3 notes for focused Term 3 preparation.
Where applicable, it is also recommended that learners revise Term 1 and Term 2
notes together with the Term 3 notes.
Good luck
Juffrou Ansie
© 2026 Juffrou Ansie Study Notes. All rights reserved. This material may not be reproduced or distributed without written permission.
, 2
CONTENTS
Data and Information Management ........................................................................... 4
Data, information and knowledge .......................................................................... 4
Decision-making .................................................................................................. 6
Quality data ......................................................................................................... 9
Valuable information .......................................................................................... 11
Accessing and manipulating data ........................................................................ 13
Grouping and Reporting data ............................................................................... 16
Database Concepts ............................................................................................... 19
Database Maintenance ....................................................................................... 19
Database Design ................................................................................................ 23
Fields and Data Types ......................................................................................... 25
Primary Keys ...................................................................................................... 28
Relationships between tables.............................................................................. 31
Social Implications ................................................................................................ 33
Computer errors ................................................................................................. 33
Human errors ..................................................................................................... 36
Cybercrime ........................................................................................................ 38
Software Development ........................................................................................... 40
Good programming principles ............................................................................. 40
Algorithms ......................................................................................................... 41
Computational thinking ...................................................................................... 42
Software engineering principles ........................................................................... 43
Database Programming Concepts ........................................................................... 45
Connecting to a database ................................................................................... 45
Database transactions ........................................................................................ 46
Multi-form applications ....................................................................................... 47
GUI design ......................................................................................................... 47
Internet and World Wide Web .............................................................................. 49
© 2026 Juffrou Ansie Study Notes. All rights reserved. This material may not be reproduced or distributed without written permission.
, 3
Information Information is data that has been processed, organised or
presented in a meaningful way.
Information gives context to raw data and helps users understand
what the data represents.
Archiving Data Archiving means moving data that is no longer used regularly to
separate long-term storage. Archived data is not deleted. It is kept in
case it is needed for legal, financial or historical purposes.
Example:vA school may archive the records of learners who
completed Grade 12 rather than deleting them.
Knowledge Knowledge is the understanding gained by interpreting information
and combining it with experience, skills or previous understanding.
Knowledge helps a person recognise patterns, draw conclusions
and decide what action should be taken.
Data Data consists of raw facts that have not yet been processed or
organised into a meaningful form.
Informed An informed decision is a decision based on sufficient and reliable
Decisions information.
An informed decision is more likely to be successful because it is
supported by evidence
Decision- The process of selecting the most suitable action after analysing
making available information.
Quality Data Quality data is data that is suitable for its intended purpose. The
quality of data affects the reliability of the information produced
and the decisions made from it
Database Database maintenance refers to the processes used to keep
maintenance stored data accurate, complete, current and useful.
A database must be updated regularly because information may
change over time
Table A table stores data about a specific entity or subject.
Field A field stores one specific category of data. Fields are displayed as
columns in a table.
Record A record contains all the fields relating to one person, item or event.
Entity An entity is a person, object, place or event about which data is
stored.
Field Value A field value is the actual data stored in a field for a specific record.
Database A simple database structure may be shown as follows:
Structure Database → Table → Record → Field → Field value
Data Format The format controls how data is displayed without necessarily
changing the stored value.
Validation A validation rule restricts the values that may be entered into a
Rules field.
Although validation was covered previously the concept is applied
here as part of database design.
GIGO GIGO means Garbage In, Garbage Out.
© 2026 Juffrou Ansie Study Notes. All rights reserved. This material may not be reproduced or distributed without written permission.
, 4
If incorrect or poor-quality data is entered into a system the
information produced by the system will also be incorrect.
Algorithms An algorithm is a clear step-by-step set of instructions used to
solve a problem or complete a task.
Database Path The database path specifies where the database file is stored.
Absolute Path An absolute path gives the full location of a file. Example:
Relative Path A relative path identifies the database location in relation to the
application. Relative paths make applications easier to move
between computers because the program does not depend on a
specific drive or user folder.
Example:
Handling A program should display a clear error message when the
Connection connection fails.
Errors
Example: The database could not be opened. Check that the
database file is available and try again. The program should not
continue with database operations when no valid connection exists.
Methods A method is a named section of code that performs a specific task.
A method is written once and can be called whenever the task must
be performed.
Formal The variable declared in the method heading.
parameter
Actual The value or variable supplied when the method is called.
parameter
Value A value parameter receives a copy
Parameters of the value passed to the method.
Changes made to the parameter
inside the method do not change the
original variable in the calling code
Website A collection of related web pages stored under one domain name.
Web page A single document or page within a website.
Home page The main or opening page of a website.
Hyperlink A clickable item that opens another page, file or online location.
Web browser Software used to access and display web content.
Web server A computer that stores websites and sends web pages to users.
Data and Information Management
Data, information and knowledge
Relationship between Data, Information and Knowledge
The three concepts form a logical process:
© 2026 Juffrou Ansie Study Notes. All rights reserved. This material may not be reproduced or distributed without written permission.
