7. Databases

• Basically databases are used to store information.

• A primitive form of ‘database’ is a filing cabinet.

• The fundamental types of databases include,

Relational: Data is kept in fixed tables with defined relationships

Object Oriented: Dissimilar data can be stored in a single list (relational databases are a sort of subset of these databases)

• Databases allow information stored on one computer to be shared with other computers.

• Data stored in relational databases is commonly access using SQL (Structured Query Language)

• Databases handle problems of,

data locking (only allow one user to modify at once)

data sharing (other users can view)

searching

etc