Database Defined
Database Defined
Database Defined
Types of databases
There are many different types of databases. The best database for a specific organization
depends on how the organization intends to use the data.
Relational databases
Relational databases became dominant in the 1980s. Items in a relational database are
organized as a set of tables with columns and rows. Relational database technology
provides the most efficient and flexible way to access structured information.
Object-oriented databases
Information in an object-oriented database is represented in the form of objects, as in
object-oriented programming.
Distributed databases
A distributed database consists of two or more files located in different sites. The
database may be stored on multiple computers, located in the same physical location,
or scattered over different networks.
Data warehouses
A central repository for data, a data warehouse is a type of database specifically
designed for fast query and analysis.
NoSQL databases
A NoSQL, or nonrelational database, allows unstructured and semistructured data to
be stored and manipulated (in contrast to a relational database, which defines how all
data inserted into the database must be composed). NoSQL databases grew popular as
web applications became more common and more complex.
Graph databases
A graph database stores data in terms of entities and the relationships between entities.
OLTP databases. An OLTP database is a speedy, analytic database designed for
large numbers of transactions performed by multiple users.
These are only a few of the several dozen types of databases in use today. Other, less common
databases are tailored to very specific scientific, financial, or other functions. In addition to the
different database types, changes in technology development approaches and dramatic advances
such as the cloud and automation are propelling databases in entirely new directions. Some of the
latest databases include
Cloud databases
A cloud database is a collection of data, either structured or unstructured, that resides
on a private, public, or hybrid cloud computing platform. There are two types of cloud
database models: traditional and database as a service (DBaaS). With DBaaS,
administrative tasks and maintenance are performed by a service provider.
Multimodel database
Multimodel databases combine different types of database models into a single,
integrated back end. This means they can accommodate various data types.
Document/JSON database
Designed for storing, retrieving, and managing document-oriented
information, document databases are a modern way to store data in JSON format
rather than