What is a database? In basic terms, it is an organized collection of data. This data is typically organized to model relevant aspects of reality in a way that supports processes requiring this information (Wikipedia, 2014 ). Our modern life is inundated by their use to store and make usable the massive amounts of data that we now generate. A 2011 study by IBM estimated that our society creates about 2.5 quintillion (1018) bytes of data every day (StorageNewsletter, 2011). Databases allow humanity to use all that data that is generated.
Data, Information, and Knowledge even though they all sound like the same thing there are differences. Data is information in a raw or unorganized form (such as alphabets, numbers, or symbols) that refer to, or represent, conditions, ideas, or objects. Data is limitless and present everywhere in the universe (BusinessDictionary.com, 2014 ). Data is raw. It is simply exists and has no significance beyond its existence. It can exist in any form usable or not. It does not have meaning (kumar, 2009).
Some would say what is data but information. Information is data that is accurate and timely, specific and organized for a purpose, presented within a context that gives it meaning and relevance, and can lead to an increase in understanding and decrease in uncertainty (BusinessDictionary.com, 2014). Information may be defined as the characteristics of the output of a process, these being informative about the process and the input (kumar, 2009). In basic terms, information is data that has been organized and made usable.
Lastly, knowledge is the human faculty resulting from interpreted information; understanding that germinates from combination of data, information, experience, and individual interpretation. Variously defined as, “Things that are held to be true in a given context and that drive us to action if there were no impediments (BusinessDictionary.com, 2014).” Knowledge is the result of being able to understand the information presented to you and be able to act upon it. Overall data, information, and knowledge cannot exist without each other; each one provides the bases for the others.
Why do we use databases and what are some of the advantages of using them? We use databases to convert raw data into usable information; this in turn allows us to glean knowledge from the now usable information. A vast number of large organizations worldwide have adopted computerized databases in preference to paper-based systems. This suggests that the advantages of the computerized databases are numerous, and the benefits considerable (Chiltern, 2014 ).
There are several advantages of using a computerized database. Computerized databases allow you to store massive amounts of data, the more data you have the better the information that can be generated. Secondly data retrieval and analysis is much quicker, reports can be automatically generated and made usable nearly instantaneously. Furthermore, databases allow multiple users to access the data and crate information. Dynamic data entry and manipulation are key features of databases allowing effective management of data and information generation.
A database in and of its self is just a file containing information; a system must exist to access that data. A Database Management System (DBMS) is a specially designed software applications that interacts with the user, other applications, and the database itself to capture and analyze data. A general-purpose DBMS is a software system designed to allow the definition, creation, querying, update, and administration of databases (Wikipedia, 2014 ).
There are generally two types of DBMSs general-purpose and special-purpose. General-purpose DBMSs aim to meet the needs of as many applications as possible. Moreover, general-purpose DBMSs are built on a flexible framework allowing them to be used for many types of operations. However, the fact that their development cost can be spread over a large number of applications means that they are often the most cost-effective approach.
However, a general-purpose DBMS is not always the optimal solution. In some cases, a general-purpose DBMS may introduce unnecessary overhead. Therefore, there are many examples of systems that use special-purpose databases. A common example is an email system: email systems are designed to optimize the handling of email messages, and do not need significant portions of a general-purpose DBMS functionality (Wikipedia, 2014 ).
There are two primary ways of storing data in a database. They are relational database and object-oriented database. A relational database is one that presents information in tables with rows and columns. A table is referred to as a relation in the sense that it is a collection of objects of the same type (rows). Data in a table can be related according to common keys or concepts, and the ability to retrieve related data from a table is the basis for the term relational database (Oracle, 2014).
On the other hand, an object-oriented database is a database that subscribes to a model with information represented by objects. The main feature of object-oriented databases is allowing the definition of objects, which are different from normal database objects. Objects, in an object-oriented database, reference the ability to develop a product, then define and name it. The object can then be referenced, or called later, as a unit without having to go into its complexities. This is very similar to objects used in object-oriented programming (Janssen, 2014). Lastly, you can combine these two types and use an Object-relational databases which combines the best of both types.
Overall databases are used every day in situations that are often overlooked by the users of these systems. Whenever you use Google, Facebook, and your email you are utilizing a type of database to post your message or retrieve a photo that your friend put up on his or her Facebook wall. Understanding them is key in understanding how big data works.
Works Cited
BusinessDictionary.com. (2014 , 04 18). DATA. Retrieved from businessdictionary.com: http://www.businessdictionary.com/definition/data.html
BusinessDictionary.com. (2014, 04 18). information. Retrieved from businessdictionary.com: http://www.businessdictionary.com/definition/information.html
BusinessDictionary.com. (2014, 04 18). knowledge. Retrieved from businessdictionary.com: http://www.businessdictionary.com/definition/knowledge.html
Chiltern, S. (2014 , 04 18). What Are The Advantages Of A Computerized Database, Over A Manual Database? Retrieved from blurtit.com: http://technology.blurtit.com/547165/what-are-the-advantages-of-a-computerized-database-over-a-manual-database
Janssen, C. (2014, 04 18). Object-Oriented Database (OODB). Retrieved from techopedia.com: http://www.techopedia.com/definition/8639/object-oriented-database
kumar, A. (2009, 01 29). difference between data,information and knowledge . Retrieved from naveen kumar: http://naveenkumaraleshwaram.blogspot.de/2009/01/difference-between-datainformation-and.html
Oracle. (2014, 04 18). A Relational Database Overview. Retrieved from oracle.com: http://docs.oracle.com/javase/tutorial/jdbc/overview/database.html
StorageNewsletter. (2011, 10 21). Every Day We Create 2.5 Quintillion Bytes of Data. Retrieved from StorageNewsletter.com: http://www.storagenewsletter.com/rubriques/market-reportsresearch/ibm-cmo-study/
Wikipedia. (2014 , 04 18). Database. Retrieved from Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Database
