Database: Concepts and Advantages

(Rawpixel, 2021)

According to Oracle, a database is a well-organized assortment of structured information or data, which is often stored digitally in a computer system. To manage the data, a database management system (DBMS) is usually employed. The combination of the data, the DBMS, and the associated applications is referred to as a database system or simply a database. (Oracle, no date)

It ensures that the user can perform the following tasks:

1. Create
2. Read
3. Update; and
4. Delete

Most databases today are designed using tables with rows and columns to enable efficient processing and data querying. The data can be easily accessed, manipulated, updated, controlled, and arranged using a DBMS. Structured Query Language (SQL) is the most widely used language for writing and querying data in databases. (Oracle, no date) 

Examples of Databases

Below are some examples of Databases

• Microsoft SQL Server

"SQL Server, developed by Microsoft, is a Relational Database Management System. It is built on SQL, the standard query language for Database Management Systems." (Intellipaat, 2023)

• IBM Db2

"Db2 is a Relational Database Management System developed by IBM. It is designed to analyze, store and retrieve data efficiently." (Intellipaat, 2023)

• Oracle Database

"Developed by Oracle Corporation, Oracle Database is based on a multi-model DBMS. It is widely used when processing online transactions." (Intellipaat, 2023)

• PostgreSQL

"An open-source Relational Database Management System, PostgreSQL is free to use. It is widely used for data warehousing." (Intellipaat, 2023)

• MySQL

"Based on Structured Query Language (SQL), MySQL is a Relational Database Management System. It is used in e-commerce platforms, data warehousing, etc. It is widely used as a web Database Management System." (Intellipaat, 2023)

Advantages

Some advantages of Databases include:

1. Data is stored in an organized manner, resulting in a higher storage capacity. 
2. With a DBMS, sensitive and high-risk data can be securely stored and accessed. 
3. The handling of data becomes effortless with a DBMS. 
4. A well-designed DBMS significantly reduces data inconsistency.
5. Additionally, data can be accessed quickly with ease. (Intellipaat, 2023)

Primary key and Foreign key

Two key terminologies in Database are the "Primary key" and the "Foreign key".

• Primary Key: 

"A primary key is used to ensure that data in the specific column is unique. A column cannot have NULL values. It is either an existing table column or a column that is specifically generated by the database according to a defined sequence. 

Example:

STUD_NO, as well as STUD_PHONE both, are candidate keys for relation STUDENT but STUD_NO can be chosen as the primary key (only one out of many candidate keys)." (GeekforGeeks, 2022)

• Foreign Key:

"A foreign key is a column or group of columns in a relational database table that provides a link between data in two tables. It is a column (or columns) that references a column (most often the primary key) of another table. 

Example: 

STUD_NO in STUDENT_COURSE is a foreign key to STUD_NO in STUDENT relation." (GeekforGeeks, 2022)

Reference List

         GeekforGeeks (2022) Difference between primary key and foreign key, GeeksforGeeks. GeeksforGeeks. Available at: https://www.geeksforgeeks.org/difference-between-primary-key-and-foreign-key/ (Accessed: March 12, 2023).

         Intellipaat (2023) What is database? types, examples and advantages, Intellipaat Blog. Available at: https://intellipaat.com/blog/what-is-database/#no11 (Accessed: March 12, 2023).

         Oracle (no date) What is a database?, What Is a Database | Oracle United Kingdom. Available at: https://www.oracle.com/uk/database/what-is-database/ (Accessed: March 12, 2023).

         Rawpixel (2021) Free Photo: Database Computer System Digital Storage Concept, Freepik. Available at: https://www.freepik.com/free-photo/database-computer-system-digital-storage-concept_17057380.htm#query=database&position=43&from_view=search&track=sph (Accessed: March 12, 2023).