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A Field is a placeholder for information or a space allocated in the database for a particular item of information. In spreadsheets, fields are called cells. In a database management system, a field is the smallest unit of information the user can enter or access. Every field has a name, called the field name, as well as other attributes. For example, some fields are numeric whereas others are text, some are long, while others are short.

A field can be required, optional, or calculated. A required field is one in which you must enter data, while an optional field is one you may leave blank. A calculated field is one whose value is derived from some formula involving other fields. You do not enter data into a calculated field; the system automatically determines the correct value