Database overview
A database is essentially a computerized way of storing records and information in an structured manner. Data in a database is organized into tables. A database can, and often does, have several tables to store different types of information. Tables contain rows, and each row has it's own information for each entry. Each row can be divided into cells to hold different bits of information for that entry. Rows can have from just a couple of cells to many cells, depending on the number of data items to be stored in that row.
Shown below are very basic sample tables showing rows and their cells, with information on a companies personel, to help you get the overall idea.
| Database | ||||
| Database Table: Sample 1 | ||||
| Data Row 1 | Bob | Smith | Los Angeles | California |
| Data Row 2 | Mary | Jones | Tacoma | Washington |
| Database Table: Sample 2 | |||||
| Data Row 1 | Bob | Smith | Los Angeles | California | Sales |
| Data Row 2 | Mary | Jones | Tacoma | Washington | Technician |
| Data Row 3 | Henry | Johnson | Detroit | Michigan | Sales |
| Data Row 4 | Chris | Brown | Chicago | Illinois | Management |
By using this system, data is saved in an organized way, keeping each persons information gathered together, and allowing the same types of information to be saved for each person. This is efficient when using dynamic scripts to insert, update and query data, as the scripts can manipulate the data the same way each time. Many sites won't need a database, but most that use site memberships, sell products, or hold large amounts of information will probably use one. For the most part, if your site needs to store information that is often being added, updated or changed, a database will probably be needed.
Hosting accounts make the set up and management of databases fairly simple, and once set up they often require no other direct management; dynamic scripting can help to manipulate the data in them. Databases are one area of your site that doesn't require coding for you to learn, however it must be compatible with the language you work with, and basic understandings of databases are helpful if you set up a dynamic site. The last thing you want to do is have hundreds or thousands of records in your database, and suddenly it all gets wiped out. Databases can easily be backed up on a regular basis, minimizing the potential damage of lost data.
Popular database systems
The MySQL® database has become the world's most popular open source database because of its consistent fast performance, high reliability and ease of use. It's used on every continent by individual Web developers as well as many of the world's largest and fastest-growing organizations to save time and money powering their high-volume Web sites, business-critical systems and packaged software.
Microsoft SQL Server is an application used to create computer databases for the Microsoft Windows
family of server operating systems. It provides an environment used to generate databases that can be accessed from workstations, the web, or other media such as a personal digital assistant (PDA).