What is a Database? : Many people nowadays want to know what a database is, what its goals are, what its characteristics are, how many different types there are, and why one is even needed. There will be many like this in your mind as well. And if you also have similar questions, then definitely read this article completely.
Data is available everywhere these days, from small to large, that is, from a chatting app to big business and government work. But have you ever wondered where all this data is kept and how it is managed? So let me tell you that all this happens with the help of a database.
So, today, in this article, we will know what a database is and also get answers to many questions related to it.
What is Database?
Databases are a special type of software programme in which data is stored and kept in an organised manner. Or, in simple words, an organised collection of data is called a database.
The data in the database is stored by arranging it in rows and columns so that it can be easily accessed when needed. Many websites on the Internet use databases, such as social media websites, government websites, e-commerce websites, etc.
An example of a database is MS Excel, where you can create any type of data and store it on the hard drive by creating rows and columns so that you can access it easily when needed. Similarly, websites on the Internet create databases with special software and store them on the server.
Let's take an example: Facebook has data on each of its users, which it stores in a database. If you view the profile of any of your Facebook friends, all of their information or data is displayed to you. like his name, profile picture, place name, birthday, etc.
Where are databases used?
There are many such dynamic websites available on the Internet that use databases. It would not be right to talk about everyone in this article. Here we will look at just a few such examples. from which you can guess where the database is used.1. Shopping Website
There are many such shopping websites available on the internet that use databases. For example, you can see the most popular shopping websites, Amazon and Flipkart. The database stores the user's information, such as name, address, mobile number, order list, and so on.2.Online Gaming:
Have you played the PUBG game? If yes, then you must have seen that many millions of users are playing the game simultaneously. Have you thought about how so many users and their gaming histories can be managed? It is obvious that the database is also being used here, and this would not be possible without it.3. Online videos
You must have used online video streaming. The database is also used for online video streaming. Online video streaming websites store user information in addition to videos in their databases.4.Banking:
We conduct tens of thousands of financial transactions every day, and we can do so using just one mobile app and without physically going to the bank. So how did banking get so simple that we could send or receive money from home? The database that controls all bank transactions is the only thing that makes all of this possible.5.college website
The database is also used for the college website. when the result is published on the college website. Then they can see the result only because of the database. Because the result is already stored in the database according to the roll number and roll code. which is verified using the college's website by roll number and roll code. This process is called database retrieval or database access.6.Hospital Management System:
Data related to the doctors and other staff of the hospital, patients, and their diseases are also saved somewhere.
7. Railway and flight ticket reservations
The database is also used in ticket booking. in which all the information related to the ticket is stored.8. Aadhaar Card
All our information is stored in our Aadhaar cards. Our name, mobile number, address, and so on, as well as our finger print, are all saved. We mean to say that everything is stored in the Aadhaar card. And all this information is not stored on the Aadhaar card but rather in a database.REAd also - What is cache memory and how does it work?
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Type of database
Sometimes different types of databases are used to perform different types of work. According to the need, the database is classified into different types, some of which are given below about the type of database:1 Hierarchical Database
Tree structures are used to store the data in this type of database. Data is stored in a hierarchical database in the same way that a tree has many branches.For example, take the example of different children studying in a school in which the subjects and classes of the children are different.There is a school tree in it, and the children studying in the school are the branches of that tree. In this, all the nodes are connected to each other through the link. It is the oldest model of database, having been developed by IBM in 1960.
2.Network Database
The network database model is a powerful database, but it is also a bit complicated because all the tables in it are linked to each other. This database model uses a network structure to store data; hence, it is called a network database.3 Relational Databases
In this type of database, the data is arranged in a table in the form of rows and columns; it is a very simple database model that is used a lot in the present time. Any user can use this database with little training. An Excel or Google Sheet is created using a relational database model.How many components are there in the database?
A database is made up of a variety of components. Each element of the database is called an object.You can divide your data into different tables in each database file, view the data of the table through a form, add new data, and update the data from the tables as needed through queries.and can retrieve and analyse the data through reports, then print the data in a special layout.
Following is a detailed description of the components of the database:
1 Field:
The first column in any database is referred to as the "Field."
5. Record
Each row of the chart can be called a record. In other words, "one record" is the store of data present in all the fields related to one entity (such as object, person, etc.).
3. Table
Although there are many types of databases, the most popular and natural ones are relational databases, in which data is stored in the form of tables. The table is made up of cells made up of columns and rows; this cell is used to store data in tables. Various types of operations, such as storing data, filtering, retrieving, editing data, etc., can be done on these tables. Mainly, the table is made up of Field and Record, whose details are as follows:
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what are the advantages of database
Let me now tell you the benefits of the database in Hindi, which are as follows:- The database makes it simple to access any information.
- Compared to a database, more information can be stored in less room.
- An organised database makes data filtering simple.
- As a result, the data can be sorted in various ways.
- By doing this, you can quickly change the data by inserting, editing, deleting, etc.
- The database is accessible by numerous users concurrently.
- Data import and export from database tables are incredibly simple as a result.
- The database's data is secure and well-organized.
- Redundancy is decreased.
- It offers services like backup and recovery.
- Databases keep programmes and data apart from one another.
Disadvantages of Database
The disadvantages of databases are given below:- Designing a database system is very difficult and takes a lot of time.
- The cost of its hardware and software is very high.
- If the database is damaged, it has a negative effect on all application programs.
- It needs to be learned before using it. can't use it without learning it.
- The size of the database is very large.
What are database management system software?
- MySQL
- sqlite
- Microsoft SQL Server
- Oracle
- Microsoft Access
- dBase
- IBM DB2
- PostgreSQL
- foxpro
- MariaDB
- NoSQL