Final answer:
When creating a query, specifying fields is just one step; you also need to consider the criteria to retrieve relevant records. Using criteria allows you to filter and refine the results based on your specific needs. To improve query-building, utilize various learning resources and understand any constraints of your database system.
Step-by-step explanation:
When creating a query in a database, you can indeed specify the fields that the query will use, but you do not have to specify the exact criteria immediately. Criteria are the conditions you set to filter the records you want to retrieve from the database. Setting criteria is a crucial part of the query design process as it defines which records are relevant to your question. For example, if you're querying a sales database, you might specify that you only want to see transactions above a certain dollar amount, or only those that occurred within a specific time frame.
Without criteria, a query will return all records that include the specified fields, which might be too broad for your needs. To refine the results, you need to identify what topic or topics you are interested in and then determine the best criteria to use. This involves asking yourself what specific information you need, such as a date range, a range of values, or a particular string of text.