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What are Databases?

Databases are the main way to store information from applications. Applications that are used to process information make use of a database to store the information that is being produced by the applications. The users that input the information in the application do not expect to do it twice and will only be needed to supply the information only once. With the use of a database, the application is able to keep the information and reference to it whenever it is needed. A database is one of the more convenient ways of interacting with information and whenever you need your application to perform excellently, you should ensure that you have a database attached to it.

The database will be the only way you can store data permanently and refer to it whenever you need it. It is an important resources to have and there is no application that can be able to perform efficiently without a database of one form or the other. Databases are structures and organized means of storing information. They have an easier means of referencing the information that is very unique. This is known as the primary key that uniquely identifies a resources in the database. This makes it easier to refer to information on the database from an application.

Relationships are easier to make when the information is in a database. On the database, there are tables or documents which are used to store the information. These records have referential integrity which is used to make references and draw relationships between the information. Relationships are very important for database and makes insights easier to glean from the massive amounts of data in the database. As compared to other forms of storing information, database are capable of storing much more information and will be able to easily scale up as more information gets added to it. The database will ensure that records are all uniquely stored in them and all the records are easy to make references to.

Applications work better when they have databases. Information is also much easier to secure when there is a database to work with and you will be able to authenticate whoever is accessing the information. New records get added to the database as it is updated and the records can also be modified when there is some bit of editing that is required. The editing ensures that the records are accurate and if there are revisions to be made, they will be done from the applications. The benefit of a database is in being able to update itself. Access attempts are stored in the database itself and it maintains a signature of the person who accessed it last.

Data integrity ensures that database receive the information of the correct type. Where numbers are required, alphabetical characters will not be allowed and an error will always occur when incorrect data is fed to the database. This enforcement of database integrity ensures that all the records are correct and of the correct type.