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A database is an organized collection of data. The term originated within the computer industry, but its meaning has been broadened by popular use, to the extent that the European Database Directive (which creates intellectual property rights for databases) includes non-electronic databases within its definition. This article is confined to a more technical use of the term; though even amongst computing professionals, some attach a much wider meaning to the word than others.
One possible definition is that a database is a collection of records stored in a computer in a systematic way, so that a computer program can consult it to answer questions. For better retrieval and sorting, each record is usually organized as a set of data elements (facts). The items retrieved in answer to queries become information that can be used to make decisions. The computer program used to manage and query a database is known as a database management system (DBMS). The properties and design of database systems are included in the study of information science.
The central concept of a database is that of a collection of records, or pieces of knowledge. Typically, for a given database, there is a structural description of the type of facts held in that database: this description is known as a schema. The schema describes the objects that are represented in the database, and the relationships among them. There are a number of different ways of organizing a schema, that is, of modeling the database structure: these are known as database models (or data models). The model in most common use today is the relational model, which in layman's terms represents all information in the form of multiple related tables each consisting of rows and columns (the true definition uses mathematical terminology). This model represents relationships by the use of values common to more than one table. Other models such as the hierarchical model and the network model use a more explicit representation of relationships.
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Software :: Bioinformatics
Software :: Informatics
uBio creates new XML Web Services
Tue, 15 Aug 2006 00:00:00 -0400
A new set of webservices was added to the current collection. The new XML webservices can be called via HTTP GET and POST requests and will return XML data structures. This new version of web services can be easily embedded within any web-based application without having to deal with setting up SOAP clients.
Missouri Botanical Garden's Tropicos database is indexed in NameBank
Tue, 01 Aug 2006 00:00:00 -0400
uBio has indexed The Missouri Botanical Garden's (MOBOT) Tropicos database within NameBank. Indexing Tropicos allows uBio to provide a variety of tools and services to MOBOT such as enhanced LinkIT and FindIT applications as well as linkages to Tropicos from the uBio Portal. "W3TROPICOS provides new and improved access to the Missouri Botanical Garden's VAST nomenclatural database and associated authority files."
uBio RSS is integrated within FishBase
Tue, 27 Jun 2006 00:00:00 -0400
uBio has partnered with FishBase to produce an application that monitors current publications available via Real Simple Syndication (RSS) for references to fish species. A link to this application is provided within FishBase species summaries.
ALICE Biodiversity Software - Database management system for managing data about taxa, species, genera, varieties and cultivars.
DeltaAccess - A SQL interface to DELTA, implemented in Microsoft Access 97.
Meta Description: [ DiversityDescriptions (formerly DeltaAccess) is a DiversityWorkbench application to manage descriptive biodiversity data (taxonomy and biosystematics) ]
Encyclopaedia Taxonomica - A hierarchical taxonomic database for biota of the world starting with a database for aquatic organisms in the Netherlands.
Expert Center for Taxonomic Identification - The Linnaeus II taxonomic content management system supports creating taxonomic databases, computer aided identification keys, interactive biogeographic maps, and literature and glossary databases in one hyperlinked environment.
Meta Description: [ ETI BioInformatics is dedicated to improving on a global scale the quantity, quality and accessibility of biodiversity information on CD- ROMs and the Web. ]
Lucid - A system for creating, maintaining, distributing and playing interactive identification keys.
Meta Description: [ Lucidcentral.org is the home of the Lucid family of software which is used for the creation of identification and diagnostic keys. ]
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Meka - An interactive Multiple-Entry Key Algorithm to enable rapid identification of biological specimens.
Meta Description: [ MEKA is a simple Windows-based software package for
generating easy-to-use, point-and-click identification keys. Several plant keys are available,
including the Hansen and Rahn key to angiosperm families of the world and
the Kartesz key to wetland woody plants, part of the M... ]
PaleoTax - The program can give an overview of taxonomic and other information of a taxa group. Recorded data can be assessed or exported as RTF or HTML document.
Meta Description: [ PaleoTax - the data base system for palaeontologists. ]
PICKEY - An interactive multi-entry polychotomous key for identification of organisms by intensive use of images.
Meta Description: [ Software for biological identification ]
PollyClave - Multiple-entry identification keys.
TAXIS - Taxonomic Information System - Database management system for recording taxa, specimens, characters, and images. Also serves as an interactive identification system.
Meta Description: [ Bio-Tools.Net provides software for creating and publishing biological databases with encorporated GIS. ]
| The work of Biodiversity Information Standards (known as the Taxonomic Database Working Group). ... | |
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