Defining Database
A database is a structured collection of large organized data that can be easily accessed, updated, managed and stored in the computer system. Traditionally database records are organized by fields, records and files. A Field is a single piece of information; a Record is a complete set of fields; and a File is a collection of records.
For Example: A Telephone Book is similar to a file. It contains a list of records, each of which consists of three fields like Name, Address and Telephone Number.
To access information from the database, you need Database Management System, a collection of programs that enable you to create and manage various types of database records. Database systems are referred to as a Relational Database Management System (RDBMS), because of their ability to store related data across multiple tables.
Some of the more popular Relational Database Management Systems include:
- Microsoft Access Database
- Microsoft SQL Server Database
- MySQL Database and many more
Microsoft Access Database: Relational Database Management System developed by Microsoft, is used to create, design and maintain database records in the easiest way. Microsoft Access Database, also called Microsoft Office Access database, is a relational database running under Microsoft Windows operating system. Access allows user to create Forms and Reports. A Form shows one record in a user designed format and Report shows selected records in user designed format.
Why Choose Microsoft Access Database?
- Affordable, Highly interactive, User Friendly and Easy to Use.
- Create meaningful reports.
- Work with multivalue fields.
- Manage and audit sensitive information.
- Share tracked information with others.
- Facilitate with various versions such as Access 1.0, 1.1, 2.0, 97, 2000, 2002, 2003 and 2007.
Microsoft SQL Server Database: A relational Database Management System from Microsoft for its Windows Servers. Microsoft SQL Server is an excellent backend database for web server applications, widely used in small to large business organization to maintain database records in proper manner. MSSQL Server is specially designed for client/server application and is accessed by SQL. It provides an environment to generate database that can be accessed from web server or work stations. MSSQL Server facilitates with various SQL Server versions including SQL Server 1.0, 4.21, 6.0, 6.5, 7.0, 2000, 2005 and 2008.
MySQL Database: A popular Open Source Relational Database Management System that uses Structure Query language (SQL) for organizing, accessing and managing the records. This fast and flexible open source database is available for both Linux and Windows operating System. MySQL database provides multiuser facility to access multiple records. It is most commonly used for Web and Embedded applications, and has become world most popular open source database due to its consistency, high reliability and ease of use. MySQL database is available in various versions including MySQL 4.0, 4.1, 5.0 and 6.0.
Database Models
A Database Model is an abstract model that describes how the data is represented and used. Some common Database Models are listed below:
- Hierarchical Model is a database model in which the data is organized into tree like structure, with each record having one parent and multiple child records.
- Network Model is a database model that allows each record to have multiple parents and children records, forming a lattice structure.
- Relational Model for database management is a database model based on Hierarchical and Network Model. This model uses the basic concept of relation or table. The columns (i.e. field) in the table identify the attributes.
- Object Relational Model is a database model in which objects, classes and inheritance are directly supported in database schema and in database query language.
- Object Model is a database model in which information is represented in the form of objects as used in object oriented programming.
Types of Database
Database generally has one of two basic forms including Single File Database and Multi File Database
- Single File System is commonly known as Flat File Database.
- Multi File System is commonly known as Relational Database.
Benefits of Database
Managing the database is beneficial for small to large business organization for knowing customers, supplier and competitors details. You can easily gather information about your business in the form of database.
Database is beneficial for your business by:
- Reducing the amount of time spent in managing the large number of records.
- Promoting a discipline approach to database management.
- Improving the quality and consistency of information.
- Analyzing the data in different ways.
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