The full form of DB is "Database". A database is the collection of data in an organized way for easy access and management. They can be organized into rows, and columns and can be extremely useful in finding the required information.
In other words, a database is a systematic collection of data that can store information. This data can range from small amounts of data in personal applications to large amounts of data in enterprise-level applications.
What is Data?
Before knowing about databases in detail, you need to know about data. Data is a set of information that is collected, stored, and processed. Besides, it can be represented in many ways, like in images, texts, numbers, etc. Also, it can refer to any kind of information like texts, statistics, facts etc.
What is a Database?
Databases are very useful for collecting, storing, maintaining, as well as accessing data. The collected information is in a systematic order, in one place so that it can be observed and analyzed.
Let us understand this with an example of a social media platform. For example, let us mention Instagram. It has to keep and manipulate data about the followers, messages, stories, advertisements, etc. Similarly, databases are very important to so many platforms and places.
History and Evolution of Databases
Databases were first produced in the year 1960 as network modes, where each record was related to many other records. It was created as a result of experiments scientists did to get an organized way for storing large amounts of data that would be easily accessible too.
Relational databases, created by E.F. Codd at IBM, became the standard for database systems. When it combined with the rapidly growing internet in the mid-1990s, it led to the drastic expansion of databases.
Earlier, databases were actually used in large organizations to store data related to transactions, business data, and customer information. But, with the development of modern science and technology, it was used in almost every aspect of life.
Types of Databases
There are so many types of databases classified according to images, texts, numbers, etc. However, they are mainly classified according to organizational approach. Let us discuss some main organizational databases here.
Relational databases: This database is in the form of tables, arranged in rows and columns that make it easy to search using SQL (Structured Query Language). The management system for this database is RDBMS, which is used to collect, manage, and retrieve data. In addition, any modification can be easily done in relational databases without changing the pre-existing applications.
Distributed database: This database stores data in the form of files. This can be homogeneous as well as heterogeneous. In homogenous databases, all the physical locations use the same database operating system and database applications everywhere, whereas in heterogeneous databases, both the operating system and database applications are different at some locations.
Cloud: The cloud database is actually built in a cloud for a virtual environment. In these databases, users are charged according to the storage and bandwidth they use. Since they are provided as a managed service, these databases are often known as "databases as a service" (DBaaS).
NoSQL: This database is ideal for storing large amounts of data, as it can hold a wide variety of data models. It is good at analyzing vast amounts of unstructured data and works more efficiently than a relational database. Thus, it is also called "non-relational databases."
Object-oriented: It contains data in the form of classes and objects, which is a combination of object-oriented principles and relational model features. It places more stress on the organization of data than on actions and logic.
Graphs: It is a type of NoSQL database that is in the form of graphical representations. This database highlights the relation between relevant data making it very beneficial to search for the relationship between data. Moreover, it is also useful especially when the database has a complex relation.
What are the Components of a Database?
The only thing common to all types of databases is their components. Let us discuss the 5 basic components a database contains.
- Hardware- A database software runs on the hardware. The hardware components of a database system include servers, networks, processors, computers, servers and memory.
- Software- Software gives access to the database to the users. The hardware components of a database system include Database Management System (DBMS), Data Visualization, Operating System and Backup and Recovery.
- Data- It is the information that is stored in the database.
- Data access language- It is the programming language that actually controls the database. One of the most popular programming languages is SQL.
- Procedures- It is like the rule book according to which the database works and manages the data.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Databases
Now, let us talk about some database advantages and disadvantages -
Benefits of using a database
- Strong data security
- Reduced updating errors
- Increased consistency
- More data access for the users
- High data integrity
- Less data redundancy
- Decreased data entry costs
Limitations and drawbacks of databases
- Complex and time taking
- Database failures
- High cost
- More complex and difficult
- Regular updates
What are Database Challenges?
- Data security - Since the stored data are very valuable, they need strong security. However, doing this can be expensive.
- Database performance - In order to get the best performance, regular updates and maintenance is required.
- Database integration - Integrating data sources from different databases into a single database is also a tough job.
FAQs
Q1. Can we store images in a database?
Ans- Yes, definitely, the database is able to store images and photos in a table. One can make a database table to keep his photos in an online photo album, however, it is not recommended to store images in this.
Q2. Why is the database important?
Ans- A database is important because it can store a large amount of data in one place. In addition, they are easily searchable and make finding data easy and quick. Moreover, the database also enables multiple users to view as well as edit the same data at the same time.
Q3. What are the types of databases?
Ans- Here are the different types of databases-
- Hierarchical databases.
- Network databases.
- Object-oriented databases.
- Relational databases.
- NoSQL databases.