SeamountsOnline
is based on a relational database. It has two versions: a Microsoft
Access version used for entering data and an Oracle version used for
serving data. The Oracle version is similar to the Access version except
that the NAME table holds all the higher taxonomic levels. SeamountsOnline
is designed for holding species- or genus-level observations with sample
method information from seamounts and may be useful for other projects
storing data from discrete locations.
Access
Version:
For a
diagram of the Access database design, click here.
Notes:
In general, field names in lowercase indicate fields that are either
in development or are for in-house use. There are severeral fields
that are repeated in every table, but which have been excluded from
the diagram for clarity. These include:
entered_by:
the initials of the person who entered the data
entered_date: the date of initial
entry
checked_by: the initials of the person
who checked the data entry for accuracy
checked_date: the date the entry
was checked
edit_date: the date the entry was
most recently modified
NOTES: Any other relevant information
about the entry that is for public viewing
data_comments: notes about the entry
for in-house use (such as current status)
Problem: a flag indicating that there
is some problem or uncertianty about the entry and it should not
be served until resolved
For the
field definitions, click on the table of interest. (Lookup tables
are used to provide controlled vocabulary pick-lists - they have only
a single field, which is described in the table calling the lookup)
SEAMOUNT
SAMPLE
OBSERVATION
NAME
GENUS
FAMILY. Note that the Order and
Phylum tables (not shown) have similar structures, except that an
ID number is not used because the number of entries is fairly small
and the speed improvement for using an ID number over the name itself
is negligible. The full taxonomic hierarchy can be included if desired
using this format.
PERSON
INSTITUTION
EXPEDITION
Oracle
Version:
The Oracle version is similar to the Access version except that:
- Fields
for higher taxonomic levels are included in the NAME table and not
found in separate tables
- "Housekeeping" fields are excluded (entered_by, entered_date,
etc.)
- Expedition information is included in the SAMPLE table
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