Database applications access the retrieval, sharing, and managing of data in a database. Database applications allow multiple users to access information from a large pool of data. Relational databases are made of multiple parts, starting with tables. Tables hold data that is organized in rows, which are also referred to as records, and columns, where categories reside. The columns of a database's table will have a specific data type while the rows (or records) are entries.
An example of a database application could be one that queries a database that organizes data including sales transactions. A business owner might, for example, want to track sales regarding a specific product. The database application, when searching for that specific product, will present the needed information quickly and hide unnecessary data (which could be details about the product itself, shipping, sales method, etc).
By definition, a database application is a computer program that allows for the retrieval of data (information) from a database, that is to say, an organized collection of data. The terms "database application" and "database" are used interchangeably. Using a database application, new data can also be inserted, and all data can be modified and managed. Database applications are depended upon by many companies to retrieve data so that they can successfully operate their businesses. One of the most important aspects of a database application is that it is generally customized in a programming language that best suits the individual or business utilizing it. This allows for a database to be secure, restricting access and allowing only permitted users to retrieve data.
Database applications serve multiple purposes that benefit companies, from small businesses to large corporations, in successfully retrieving information stored in a database. Due to its complexity and capability, a database allows many users to access large amounts of data. The main purpose of a database is to satisfy multiple users' need to access information as quickly and productively as possible.
Databases allow for easy searches of needed data while keeping unneeded data in storage, which makes the retrieval and sharing of information quick and efficient. Databases also allow multiple users to access information without potentially compromising the order of the data, which is a risk that comes with a spreadsheet. Many businesses utilize database applications to calculate data that can aid them in growing a struggling area. For example, if a business is not making enough sales in one department, the business can do an easy search for needed data while the database filters out unnecessary data in a safe and organized manner. Multiple employees could perform the search at the same time, without compromising the data.
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Databases are notably organized and efficient, allowing for multiple users to access information out of a large pool of data. There are several types of databases, including, but not limited to, relational databases, object-oriented databases, NoSQL databases, open-source databases, and self-driving databases. One of the most dominant types of databases is relational databases. Relational databases are made of multiple parts that allow users to write, query, or manipulate data, starting with tables. Tables hold data that is organized in rows, which are also referred to as records, and columns where categories (such as an employee's start date) reside. The columns of a relational database's table will have a specific data type; the rows (or records) are entries.
For instance, if a company utilizes a database, they might have a table in which there is a row that has employee names; the columns might have an employee's start date or position title. In an organized fashion, databases allow for maximized searches of necessary data to be retrieved when needed. If a user queries specific data, unnecessary data will not show up in the database application. This is practical for users, seeing as the information that is not queried will be out of sight, which will make the query efficient, productive, and secure.
Database applications are notably faster than spreadsheets, given the vast amount of data stored in a format that is built to go beyond simple platforms of storing data. Database applications are constructed to hold extensive amounts of data in a retrievable fashion that is quick and systematized, given the specific programming language used to code the database. Spreadsheets may resemble a relational database when it comes to rows and columns regarding a table, but there are major differences between the two formats. Some differences between databases and spreadsheets include:
| Database | Spreadsheet | |
|---|---|---|
| Amount of data | Databases can store massive amounts of data. | Spreadsheets are built to hold smaller amounts of data. |
| User access to data | Databases are meant to allow data to be retrieved by many users at once. | Spreadsheets are meant to be accessed by one user or a small number of users. |
| Data storage | Databases allow for easy searches of needed data while keeping unneeded data in storage, which makes the retrieval and sharing of information quick and efficient. | Spreadsheets are simpler when it comes to data storage. Spreadsheets include all information in one place. However, a spreadsheet does not allow for a query to present specific data without hiding rows of unnecessary data. |
Consider a business, which could use either a database application or a spreadsheet to find specific information, for example, an employee's start date. The business knows that both the database and the spreadsheet contain this information. At first glance, the spreadsheet makes data quickly visible, however, it makes all the data contained in the spreadsheet visible (data such as the employee's position title, employee number, absences, and more). To use the spreadsheet, the user will most likely have to hide rows of unnecessary data. To use the database application, the user will need to know exactly what data they wish to query, however when they enter the query, they will see only that specific data —unnecessary data will be hidden.
