Database Management Basics
Database management is the process for managing information that aids the business operations of an organization. It involves storing and distributing data it to applications and users and editing it as required, monitoring data changes, and protecting against data corruption due to unexpected failure. It is part of the overall informational infrastructure of a business that aids in decision-making in corporate growth, as well as compliance with laws like the GDPR and California Consumer Privacy Act.
In the 1960s, Charles Bachman and IBM along with others created the first database systems. They developed into information management systems (IMS) which allowed large amounts of data to be stored and retrieved for a variety of purposes. From calculating inventory to aiding complicated financial accounting functions, and human resource functions.
A database is a collection of tables that organizes data in accordance with a certain scheme, like one-to many relationships. It utilizes primary key to identify records and allow cross-references between tables. Each table has a set of fields, referred to as attributes, that provide information about data entities. The most popular type of database currently is a relational model design.upfinit.com designed by E. F. “Ted” Codd at IBM in the 1970s. The concept is based on normalizing data to make it simpler to use. It also makes it simpler to update data, avoiding the necessity of changing various databases.
The majority of DBMSs are able to support multiple types of databases through different levels of external and internal organization. The internal level is concerned with costs, scalability, and other operational issues, such as the layout of the database’s physical storage. The external level is how the database is presented in user interfaces and other applications. It can include a combination of various external views (based on different data models) and may also include virtual tables which are generated from data that is generic to enhance performance.