A database is an organized collection of data or information stored electronically on a computer system. It serves as a structured way to store, manage, and retrieve data efficiently.

1. What is a database?
Definition of a Database
 A database is an organized collection of data or information
stored electronically on a computer system.
 It serves as a structured way to store, manage, and retrieve
data efficiently.
Components of a Database
 Data: It refers to the raw facts, figures, and information that
are stored in the database.
 Tables: Data in a database is organized into tables, which consist of rows (records) and
columns (fields) representing different attributes.
 Relationships: Databases can establish relationships between tables to define connections
and dependencies among data entities.
 Keys: Keys are used to uniquely identify records within a table, such as primary keys and
foreign keys.
Types of Databases
 Relational Databases: Relational databases organize data into tables with predefined
relationships, using SQL (Structured Query Language) for data manipulation.
 NoSQL Databases: NoSQL databases are non-relational and provide flexible data models
suitable for large-scale and distributed systems.

2.  Object-Oriented Databases: Object-oriented databases store data in object-oriented
programming formats, preserving the structure and behavior of objects.
Importance and Benefits of Databases
 Efficient Data Management: Databases enable efficient storage, retrieval, and management
of large volumes of data.
 Data Integrity: Databases enforce data integrity rules, ensuring accuracy, consistency, and
reliability of stored information.
 Data Security: Databases offer security features to protect sensitive data from unauthorized
access and ensure data privacy.
 Data Scalability: Databases can handle growing data volumes and support scalability to
accommodate changing business needs.
 Data Accessibility: Databases provide quick and easy access to data, allowing multiple users
to recover and update information concurrently.
 Data Analysis: Databases support advanced querying and reporting capabilities, facilitating
data analysis and decision-making.
Examples of Database Management Systems (DBMS)
 MySQL: An open-source relational database management system widely used for web
applications.
 Oracle: A popular commercial relational database system known for its scalability and
robustness.
 MongoDB: A widely used NoSQL database that offers flexibility and scalability for handling
large and diverse data sets.