What is a database? Easily explained

Databases play an important role in many areas of application. In this practical tip, we explain exactly what that is in an understandable way.

Database - what is it?

A database is a lot of all information stored. Application systems require databases so that data can be stored that the user can use. In this way you can save the students of a university in a database and manage them via the database management system (DBMS).

• Data structuring: Databases are used to prepare information in an orderly structure, for example in tabular form. Especially in applications with a large amount of data, it is important to organize the information. For complex applications, several tables have to be linked.
• Data management: data must be saved, linked, sorted and selected. Databases are responsible for efficient data management. You need a database management system to manage data.
• Data output / input: Databases enable needs-based output and input of information.

Data backup in databases

Databases must ensure that access is only possible through authorized persons and systems. For example, some users only have the right to read data, while other users can change data.

• Data security: Access rights for users are defined in the DBMS to ensure security in the database. In this way, users can only read out the data, but not change them.
• Data integrity: Certain rules in the management system describe how data can be changed. You can use some rules to specify that the user cannot delete data or that the price of an item is not entered negatively.

In the next practical tip, we will explain what automatic data processing is.