Database

What is a database?

Database is a set of information that is related to each other, that is stored and organized in a systematic way to facilitate its preservation, search and use. In English it is known as database.

Databases have evolved following computer and electronic advances that went from an analog system to a digital system characterized by storing a large amount of information that can be used quickly and easily.

The objective of databases is to facilitate the use and access to information, which is why they are widely used in the business, public and scientific sectors, as well as in libraries, among others.

Likewise, systems have been created that manage databases in order to improve their operations known as Database Management Systems or DBMS for its acronym in English (Database Management Systems), which allow information to be stored more quickly and securely.

Types of databases

Different databases have been created so that people, companies or public and private organizations can store information quickly and with easy access.

The different types of databases can be classified according to their usefulness, application area, among others. Below are the main types of databases.

Due to the variability

Static databases: are those that are only used for reading or consulting information, which cannot be altered. Generally, these are historical data that are used to perform specific information analysis, which is why they are typical of business intelligence.
Dynamic databases: They are databases that can be consulted and updated according to the needs that arise.

For its content

Bibliographic database– Contains the main data of a publication. Hence, they only contain information about the name of the author or authors, date of publication, title, publisher, edition number, area of ​​study or subject, among others. In some cases it may include a summary of the publications.
Full text database: are those databases that completely store the primary sources of documents or texts, especially if they are of a historical, scientific or documentary nature.
Directories: These are the databases in which telephone numbers, email addresses, billing information, codes, among others, are registered. These databases are widely used in companies to record information about their employees, clients, suppliers, among others. The most common example is telephone directories.
Specialized database: They are those that are used in various areas that have a specific audience and that are built in order to satisfy a specific need. They are used in the areas of biology, chemistry, medicine, among others.

For data management

Hierarchical databases: These store a large volume of information that is organized according to its level of importance and data shared. Part of the most important to the complementary data. Its biggest flaw is the repetition of data.
Network database: is one that contains a series of data registered and connected to each other. It is widely used by programmers.
Transactional databases: Its purpose is to collect and retrieve data quickly. They are generally used to perform quality analysis, collect production data, make bank transfers, among others.
Relational databases: It is used to represent real problems and manage data dynamically. Its objective is to relate data in various ways, and it is capable of retrieving data through information queries.
Multidimensional databases: allow you to develop specific applications. The tables that make up these databases can be tables or metrics.
Documentary database: They are used to store a large amount of complete information and perform faster and more effective searches.

Database Examples

Some examples of databases are:

Public libraries: These are spaces in which databases are used, generally managed by librarians, in order to record the main information of the books, magazines, newspapers and other publications they have, as well as their loans and circulation among users. .
Medical history: databases intended to record specific information regarding the health status of patients, that is, medical history, treatments, analyses, among others.
Payrolls: databases generally used in companies to record employee information regarding assigned positions and salaries.
Accounting systems: These are databases in which information on the accounting activity of companies, account management, among others, is recorded in order to keep the information in an orderly and quick-to-access manner.
Personal files: refers to the way of organizing and archiving the content that served as the basis for research or intellectual work, in order to safeguard primary and secondary sources of information.
Finance system: These are databases used by banking entities in order to manage their clients’ information and the financial movements they carry out safely.

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