What is a database(dbms)?

Database is a collection of interrelated data that helps in efficient retrieval of information, insertion and deletion of data from a database which organizes the data in the form of views, tables, schemas etc.

A database is any organized collection of data.

Some of the examples that we came across in our daily life are as follows −

• Airline reservation system

• T.V guide

• Online shopping

• Files in your computer hard drive

• Telephone directory

• University website

• Library card catalog etc.

For example, a University database organizes the data about students, admin, faculty, marks, events, schedules etc. that helps in efficient retrieval, insertion and deletion of data.

The size of the database is not fixed and it can be varying based on user request, it can be generated and maintained manually or by computer. So, finally a database is a collection of related data.

Given below is an example of collection of data in tabular format:

The above data is a collection of data that is related to student profile. To store data in a database we can represent it in the form of tabular form.

Example

Consider the student profile table given below −

The data in this table can be modified, updated, deleted, inserted etc

Properties of database

The properties of database are as follows −

• Databases represent some aspects of the real world.

• A database is logically coherent collections of data with some inherit meaning.

• A database is designed, built and populated with data for a specific purpose.

Social Media as database

Let us also consider our social media.

It needs to store, manipulate, and present data which is related to members, friends, member activities, messages, advertisements, and more. To do all these things a database is required for fast retrieving, inserting, deleting, and organizing the data.

Database components are given below −