What Is a Database?

Database defined
A database is an organized collection of structured information, or data, typically stored
electronically in a computer system. A database is usually controlled by a database management
system (DBMS). Together, the data and the DBMS, along with the applications that are
associated with them, are referred to as a database system, often shortened to just database.

Data within the most common types of databases in operation today is typically modeled in rows
and columns in a series of tables to make processing and data querying efficient. The data can
then be easily accessed, managed, modified, updated, controlled, and organized. Most databases
use structured query language (SQL) for writing and querying data.

What is Structured Query Language (SQL)?

SQL is a programming language used by nearly all relational databases to query, manipulate, and
define data, and to provide access control. SQL was first developed at IBM in the 1970s with
Oracle as a major contributor, which led to implementation of the SQL ANSI standard, SQL has
spurred many extensions from companies such as IBM, Oracle, and Microsoft. Although SQL is
still widely used today, new programming languages are beginning to appear.

Evolution of the database

Databases have evolved dramatically since their inception in the early 1960s. Navigational
databases such as the hierarchical database (which relied on a tree-like model and allowed only a
one-to-many relationship), and the network database (a more flexible model that allowed
multiple relationships), were the original systems used to store and manipulate data. Although
simple, these early systems were inflexible. In the 1980s, relational databases became popular,
followed by object-oriented databases in the 1990s. More recently, NoSQL databases came about
as a response to the growth of the internet and the need for faster speed and processing of
unstructured data. Today, cloud databases and self-driving databases are breaking new ground
when it comes to how data is collected, stored, managed, and utilized.

What’s the difference between a database and a

spreadsheet?
Databases and spreadsheets (such as Microsoft Excel) are both convenient ways to store
information. The primary differences between the two are:

 How the data is stored and manipulated

 Who can access the data
 How much data can be stored
Spreadsheets were originally designed for one user, and their characteristics reflect that. They’re
great for a single user or small number of users who don’t need to do a lot of incredibly
complicated data manipulation. Databases, on the other hand, are designed to hold much larger
collections of organized information—massive amounts, sometimes. Databases allow multiple
users at the same time to quickly and securely access and query the data using highly complex
logic and language.

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

Open source databases

 An open source database system is one whose source code is open source; such databases
could be SQL or NoSQL databases.

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 rows and columns.

Self-driving databases

 The newest and most groundbreaking type of database, self-driving databases (also
known as autonomous databases) are cloud-based and use machine learning to automate
database tuning, security, backups, updates, and other routine management tasks
traditionally performed by database administrators.

What is database software?

Database software is used to create, edit, and maintain database files and records, enabling easier
file and record creation, data entry, data editing, updating, and reporting. The software also
handles data storage, backup and reporting, multi-access control, and security. Strong database
security is especially important today, as data theft becomes more frequent. Database software is
sometimes also referred to as a “database management system” (DBMS).

Database software makes data management simpler by enabling users to store data in a
structured form and then access it. It typically has a graphical interface to help create and
manage the data and, in some cases, users can construct their own databases by using database
software.

What is a database management system (DBMS)?

A database typically requires a comprehensive database software program known as a database
management system (DBMS). A DBMS serves as an interface between the database and its end
users or programs, allowing users to retrieve, update, and manage how the information is
organized and optimized. A DBMS also facilitates oversight and control of databases, enabling a
variety of administrative operations such as performance monitoring, tuning, and backup and
recovery.

Some examples of popular database software or DBMSs include MySQL, Microsoft Access,
Microsoft SQL Server, FileMaker Pro, Oracle Database, and dBASE.

What is a MySQL database?

MySQL is an open source relational database management system based on SQL. It was
designed and optimized for web applications and can run on any platform. As new and different
requirements emerged with the internet, MySQL became the platform of choice for web
developers and web-based applications. Because it’s designed to process millions of queries and
thousands of transactions, MySQL is a popular choice for ecommerce businesses that need to
manage multiple money transfers. On-demand flexibility is the primary feature of MySQL.

MySQL is the DBMS behind some of the top websites and web-based applications in the world,
including Airbnb, Uber, LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube.

Using databases to improve business performance and

decision-making
With massive data collection from the Internet of Things transforming life and industry across
the globe, businesses today have access to more data than ever before. Forward-thinking
organizations can now use databases to go beyond basic data storage and transactions to analyze
vast quantities of data from multiple systems. Using database and other computing and business
intelligence tools, organizations can now leverage the data they collect to run more efficiently,
enable better decision-making, and become more agile and scalable. Optimizing access and
throughput to data is critical to businesses today because there is more data volume to track. It’s
critical to have a platform that can deliver the performance, scale, and agility that businesses
need as they grow over time.

The self-driving database is poised to provide a significant boost to these capabilities. Because
self-driving databases automate expensive, time-consuming manual processes, they free up
business users to become more proactive with their data. By having direct control over the ability
to create and use databases, users gain control and autonomy while still maintaining important
security standards.

Database challenges
Today’s large enterprise databases often support very complex queries and are expected to
deliver nearly instant responses to those queries. As a result, database administrators are
constantly called upon to employ a wide variety of methods to help improve performance. Some
common challenges that they face include:

 Absorbing significant increases in data volume. The explosion of data coming in from
sensors, connected machines, and dozens of other sources keeps database administrators
scrambling to manage and organize their companies’ data efficiently.
 Ensuring data security. Data breaches are happening everywhere these days, and
hackers are getting more inventive. It’s more important than ever to ensure that data is
secure but also easily accessible to users.
 Keeping up with demand. In today’s fast-moving business environment, companies
need real-time access to their data to support timely decision-making and to take
advantage of new opportunities.
 Managing and maintaining the database and infrastructure. Database administrators
must continually watch the database for problems and perform preventative maintenance,
as well as apply software upgrades and patches. As databases become more complex and
data volumes grow, companies are faced with the expense of hiring additional talent to
monitor and tune their databases.
 Removing limits on scalability. A business needs to grow if it’s going to survive, and its
data management must grow along with it. But it’s very difficult for database
administrators to predict how much capacity the company will need, particularly with on-
premises databases.
 Ensuring data residency, data sovereignty, or latency requirements. Some
organizations have use cases that are better suited to run on-premises. In those cases,
engineered systems that are pre-configured and pre-optimized for running the database
are ideal. Customers achieve higher availability, greater performance and up to 40%
lower cost with Oracle Exadata, according to Wikibon’s recent analysis (PDF).

Addressing all of these challenges can be time-consuming and can prevent database
administrators from performing more strategic functions.

How autonomous technology is improving database

management
Self-driving databases are the wave of the future—and offer an intriguing possibility for
organizations that want to use the best available database technology without the headaches of
running and operating that technology.
Self-driving databases use cloud-based technology and machine learning to automate many of
the routine tasks required to manage databases, such as tuning, security, backups, updates, and
other routine management tasks. With these tedious tasks automated, database administrators are
freed up to do more strategic work. The self-driving, self-securing, and self-repairing capabilities
of self-driving databases are poised to revolutionize how companies manage and secure their
data, enabling performance advantages, lower costs, and improved security.

Future of databases and autonomous databases

The first autonomous database was announced in late 2017, and multiple independent industry
analysts quickly recognized the technology and its potential impact on computing.

A Wikibon 2021 report (PDF) praised autonomous database technology, saying, “Oracle has by
far the best Tier-1 Cloud Database Platform…Wikibon believes Oracle has the strongest
Cloud Database Platform with Autonomous Database.”

And KuppingerCole’s 2021 Leadership Compass (PDF) said, "The Oracle Autonomous
Database, which completely automates provisioning, management, tuning, and upgrade
processes of database instances without any downtime, not just substantially increases security
and compliance of sensitive data stored in Oracle Databases but makes a compelling
argument for moving this data to the Oracle Cloud." Because Oracle Autonomous Database
is built on the highly available and scalable architecture of Oracle Exadata, it’s possible to easily
scale the database deployment as needs grow.

Related products
 Oracle Autonomous Database
 Oracle Database
 Oracle Exadata
 Oracle Autonomous Data Warehouse