What are Subfields in a Database?

In the context of a database, a subfield is a smaller unit of data within a field. For example, if you have a table with a field called "address" that contains information about a person's address, the subfields within that field might include "street", "city", "state", and "zip code". Each of these subfields would contain a specific piece of information related to the address, and they would all be contained within the larger field of "address".

Subfields can be useful for organizing and storing data in a more structured way. By breaking down a large field into smaller subfields, you can make it easier to search and retrieve specific pieces of information. Additionally, subfields can help to ensure data consistency and accuracy, as each subfield can have a specific format or set of values that must be followed.

In the case of the "address" field, the subfields of "street", "city", "state", and "zip code" would allow you to easily search for addresses based on specific criteria, such as street name or zip code. You could also use these subfields to validate the accuracy of an address, by checking that each subfield is properly formatted and contains the correct information.