Topic > Essay on Databases - 972

Since their advent, databases have been among the most studied knowledge domains in computer science. Database is a generic term used to connote the collection of similar or related information/data in an organized and integrated manner so that it can be easily accessed, managed and updated. Kroenke 2010 refers to the database as a collection of tables plus relationships between rows in those tables, plus special data (metadata) that describes the structure of the database. From the above we can simply define database as a data store intended to facilitate the storage, retrieval, maintenance and dissemination of data efficiently and effectively. How are they used? As Faubl 2011 states, databases are created primarily for three main functions; organize, store and retrieve information as effectively and efficiently as possible. Basically, this forms the basis for why and how to use the database. To use the database, you must first determine the purpose of the database you intend to create, then collect and organize the required information, create the logical and physical models of the data. However, its areas of application are multidisciplinary and cross different sectors of the economy, society and politics on which the three main functions are exercised. These application areas may include but not limited to; The government records information such as statistics, election information, and tax records, among others; Police for the management of criminal records; Banks to store, track and analyze all customers and their transactions; Automotive department to maintain driver and vehicle records and history. A database management system (DBMS), sometimes used interchangeably with the terms database server, database system...... middle of paper...... patterns or general concepts; records and sets. Records include fields that can be organized hierarchically while sets establish one-to-many relationships between defined records. This database is normally a departure from the previous hierarchical database discussed above in that it is designed on the concept of multiple branches originating from one or more nodes while the model varies from the hierarchical one as their branches can be connected to multiple nodes. These databases are able to represent any redundancies present in the data more efficiently and effectively. Network database operations usually occur through navigation, that is, the program maintains the current position and moves from one record to another following the defined relationship on which the recording is based. Records can also be located by providing key values.