Introduction to Databases
Mulambia C L
Lesson Outline
• What is a database
• Characteristics of a database
• Purpose of databases
• Benefits of databases
• Application of databases in real life
• Types of databases
• Database Management Systems (DBMS)
• Database vs Database Management Systems
What is a Database?
• Definition: A database is a collection of
organized data that is stored in a way that
allows for efficient retrieval and manipulation.
Characteristics of Database?
Characteristics:
• Collection of data
• Organized in a structured format
• Stored in a way that allows for efficient
retrieval and manipulation
Purpose of Databases
Main purposes:
• Data storage
• Data retrieval
• Data manipulation
• Data security
Benefits of Databases
• Improved data accuracy and consistency
• Enhanced data sharing and collaboration
• Better data security and access control
• Improved decision-making through data
analysis
Applications of Databases in Real Life
Applications of Databases in Real Life
• Banking and finance (e.g., account management,
transaction processing)
• Healthcare (e.g., patient records, medical
research)
• E-commerce (e.g., product catalogs, order
management)
• Social media (e.g., user profiles, friend networks)
• Education (e.g., student records, course
management)
Types of Databases
• Relational databases: Organize data into tables with well-
defined relationships between them (e.g., MySQL, Oracle).
• NoSQL databases: Store data in a variety of formats, such
as key-value pairs, documents, or graphs (e.g., MongoDB,
Cassandra).
• Object-oriented databases: Store data in the form of
objects, which represent real-world entities (e.g.,
Gemstone, Matisse).
• Time-series databases: Optimize storage and retrieval of
large amounts of time-stamped data (e.g., InfluxDB,
OpenTSDB).
Database Management Systems (DBMS)
Definition: A DBMS is a software system that
allows you to define, create, maintain, and
manipulate databases.
Database Management Systems (DBMS)
Examples:
• Relational DBMS: MySQL, Oracle, Microsoft
SQL Server
• NoSQL DBMS: MongoDB, Cassandra, Redis
• Cloud-based DBMS: Amazon Aurora, Google
Cloud SQL, Microsoft Azure Database Services
Difference Between a Database and a DBMS
• Database: A collection of organized data.
• DBMS: A software system that manages and
manipulates the database.
• Analogy: A database is like a library, while a
DBMS is like the librarian who manages the
library.
Review Questions
• What is a database?
• State the characteristics of a database.
• Explain the purpose of databases.
• Outline the benefits of databases.
• Discuss the application of databases in real life.
• Identify types of databases.
• What is a Database Management Systems (DBMS)?
• Differentiate between a database and a Database
Management Systems.
