What Is a Database? Essay Example

This tutorial video introduces the concept of a database, which is essentially an organized collection of data. Databases could be used for many different purposes in many different industries. In the modern setting, databases refer to software programs that are able to collect and sort data from indicated sources. This information is then stored for later use in a manner that allows this information to be accessible by individuals either locally or internationally. Databases allow for collaborative projects due to the creation of software extensions that allow the information to be shared and viewed more readily than alternatives, such as Excel spreadsheets.

One of the better known database systems is called the Microsoft SQL (Structured Query Language) Server, and main purpose is to store information from other applications that are running on a network. As a consequence, these applications are utilized to store a wealth of data from a variety of different processes and are ideally used in large office settings. The query languages used for this type of system include T-SQL and ANSI SQL. There are many versions of the database software available, and different versions are generally utilized depending upon the needs of the organizations that employ them.

Understanding Database Tables and Records

In databases, the tables are the components of the systems that are used to physically store the data once it is collected. Individuals who wish to retrieve this data for use can scan through these tables using search queries to find the information they desire. While this can also be done manually, databases that are used for the purpose of storing and sorting through a wealth of information are not useful when sorted manually. Therefore, these queries can be used to provide specific information requests and data could then be collected on this basis. A data table is set up similarly to an Excel spreadsheet, with vertical columns and horizontal rows. Each column or row will allow the information to be sorted according to its commonalities. The cell, which meets at the point where the vertical column and horizontal rows intersect, contains the potential data of interest. While tables typically have a specific number of columns, it can have any amount of rows, which is indicative of the amount of data that is stored. Rows are classified according to one or more values and value constraints exist within the contents of particular columns.

Tables can be considered to be a representation of a data relationship. However, relationships can only be determined accurately if the information is sorted using the “order by” and select clauses. Otherwise, there is no guarantee that the information will be sorted according to their relationships. Therefore, care must be taken when examining the data to ensure that relationships are not assumed depending on how the information is sorted. Any relationship or correlation should be determined only in a manner that causes related data to remain together in either column or row form.

More about Column Data Types and Other Properties

Each column in the database is required to have a data name in addition to a data type. There are many general data types in SQL. Some of these types are summarized in the following table:

The commands help the user ultimately distinguish between qualitative and quantitative data so that they may gain a better understanding of the data with relation to its type. It is important for these commands to be used properly to ensure that any relevant data analysis produces meaningful results.

Designing Relational Database Tables

 Relational database tables are designed by creating a set of tuples are records that are present in the data rows. In order for this to be done, it is necessary to determine which categories the data should fall into in addition to how this information should be sorted properly. These relationships must take logical forms in order to be meaningful. In a one to one design pattern, two pieces of information could be related to one another but relationships with greater than this association cannot be determined. Primary keys are used to define such relationships, which allows the user to have a more accurate understanding of the meaning of the information presented before him or her. A one to many relationship could also be created using the database system by allowing the PK to migrate to another table to become a foreign key. This is valuable because it expands the utility of the data gathered on these information systems, allowing it to be used practically.