A database is an organized collection of data. The term originated within the computer industry, but its meaning has been broadened by popular use, to the extent that the European Database Directive (which creates intellectual property rights for databases) includes non-electronic databases within its definition. This article is confined to a more technical use of the term; though even amongst computing professionals, some attach a much wider meaning to the word than others.

One possible definition is that a database is a collection of records stored in a computer in a systematic way, so that a computer program can consult it to answer questions. For better retrieval and sorting, each record is usually organized as a set of data elements (facts). The items retrieved in answer to queries become information that can be used to make decisions. The computer program used to manage and query a database is known as a database management system (DBMS). The properties and design of database systems are included in the study of information science.

The central concept of a database is that of a collection of records, or pieces of knowledge. Typically, for a given database, there is a structural description of the type of facts held in that database: this description is known as a schema. The schema describes the objects that are represented in the database, and the relationships among them. There are a number of different ways of organizing a schema, that is, of modeling the database structure: these are known as database models (or data models). The model in most common use today is the relational model, which in layman's terms represents all information in the form of multiple related tables each consisting of rows and columns (the true definition uses mathematical terminology). This model represents relationships by the use of values common to more than one table. Other models such as the hierarchical model and the network model use a more explicit representation of relationships.

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Backing up mysql databases and LOTS of files. I'll have to take a nap?
saratoga (saratoga) Wed, 30 Dec 2009 18:56:10 -0000
Backing up mysql databases and LOTS of files. I'll have to take a nap?
Want a t-shirt?Access to one of the BIGGEST paranormal databases?Invites to at least 2 ghost hunts?& lots more?.. join us at www.ukpig.co.uk
UKPIG (UKPIG) Wed, 30 Dec 2009 18:50:27 -0000
Want a t-shirt?Access to one of the BIGGEST paranormal databases?Invites to at least 2 ghost hunts?& lots more?.. join us at www.ukpig.co.uk
RT @robconery: "document oriented databases are to relational databases what dynamic languages are to static languages" http://bit.ly/3no36b
BlessYahu (A'braham Barakhyahu) Wed, 30 Dec 2009 18:48:17 -0000
RT @robconery: "document oriented databases are to relational databases what dynamic languages are to static languages" http://bit.ly/3no36b
databases going better than anticipated but gawd, so much data lost, it's sad. :-(
onajide (onajide) Wed, 30 Dec 2009 18:47:04 -0000
databases going better than anticipated but gawd, so much data lost, it's sad. :-(
FileMaker 8 @work: Projects and Techniques to Get the Job Do: Most books on databases approach the reader with http://bit.ly/6MtWjJ
warezB2B (Back to Back) Wed, 30 Dec 2009 18:41:14 -0000
FileMaker 8 @work: Projects and Techniques to Get the Job Do: Most books on databases approach the reader with http://bit.ly/6MtWjJ
#jimmymachanmonday Real Public Records: New Michael Jackson 100% legal and fully organized databases, resources.. http://bit.ly/7HA0dO
superbuzzer (super buzzer) Wed, 30 Dec 2009 18:40:49 -0000
#jimmymachanmonday Real Public Records: New Michael Jackson 100% legal and fully organized databases, resources.. http://bit.ly/7HA0dO

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