Introduction to Databases

Introduction to Databases

A database is a collection of data. This is of coarse an oversimplification; a database can range from a simple as a text file listing names, to a relational database management system (RDBMS). Complex systems like the later mentioned RDBMS can even be designed to be accessible to non-technical members of a company and feature streamlined user interfaces. Your database could even be designed as part of a larger application or a web site allowing users to enter their information into the system without the need for direct access to the database or database software.

When taking very basic examples of data management, it may seem more straightforward to use a spreadsheet to manage information. For example, looking at a list of names and email addresses, a spreadsheet will be easier to employ and comprehend, as the information will be sorted into rows and columns.

So what are some reasons to use databases over spreadsheets? One easy example lies in the fact that databases are simply more efficient. Databases are relational. They allow you to link related tables. Say you have a class roster that includes 200 students from the same university. All of them have the same school name. In some cases the mailing addresses, fax numbers, or other relevant information may apply to all students as well. In a spreadsheet, you would be forced to duplicate that information 200 times for each student. In a relational database manager, the information can be entered once and related to all the 200 students.

Secondly, databases can handle more data. Excel can technically handle more than 65,000 rows of data. However using excel this way will bog down your PC. Besides this, the sheer amount of data can become unmanageable. If you use a database for keeping business records, you will have to scroll endlessly to navigate through the sea of information. One main function of a database is pulling up information with a simple query. A user can enter in keywords in order to locate desired information.

Lastly, databases are more secure. A spreadsheet can be password protected, which assigns one specific password to the sheet. The lever of detail in the security of databases is far superior to this. Login security can be made to cover every object in the database. A single table can be read-only by company members with low security, updateable by another group, and a third management group can have permission to delete tables entirety.

I once stubbornly made a mailbox with a hand saw, Handsaws are safe, easy to use and seem to get the job done. However, the precision cuts needed to make the frame were incredibly hard to do with a hand saw. Friends saw mw doing it and offered the use of power saws. I was a hard sell. Many people still feel that spreadsheets or paper file systems are better because they are tried and true. However, if you