SPREADSHEET ANALOGY FOR FIELD, RECORD, FILE AND LIBRARY

	A	B	C	D	E	F
1	FIELD
2	LAST	FIRST	MI	ADDR1	CITY	STATE
3	BEAULIEU	SUSAN	J	NEWHALL	SH	MA
4	BALDWIN	MARY	K	NEWHALL	NH	MA	RECORD
5	BROWN	MARY	C	DWIGHT	TF	MA
6	CARNEVALE	MADELINE	A	DWIGHT	SH	MA
7							INQUIREP
8							FILE

A field, or column, is a named group of values that helps describe an attribute of your data. For example, the field LAST is a group of characters that describe one attribute of an INQUIRER . Other fields that help describe an INQUIRER would be: FIRST, MIDDLE, ADDR1, ADDR2, CITY, STATE, ETC.

A record, or row, is a named group of fields that, taken together, describe an aspect of your data. For example, the fields LAST, FIRST, MIDDLE, ADDR1, ETC. when put together, describe an INQUIRER. These fields then make up a record.

A file is a named group of records. For example - the INQUIRERP file.

A library can be thought of as a folder or a directory. It is a grouping of files and/ or programs. The INQUIREP file would be found in the ADMINFLS library.

Reference: IBM Application System/400, Programming: Database Guide, p. 2-1