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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@ericasara she was CRM...both did that. so, like, databases and such.
itsamarython (MC) Tue, 15 May 2012 01:09:08 -0000
@ericasara she was CRM...both did that. so, like, databases and such.
How the fuck am I suppose to be writing a research paper with two databases when every fucking database requires and authentication code.
RadiantJenn (Jenn Cook) Tue, 15 May 2012 01:09:03 -0000
How the fuck am I suppose to be writing a research paper with two databases when every fucking database requires and authentication code.
MDB Tool 1.0.1 - View Microsoft Access databases.. (Commercial) http://t.co/WEsf0CQp
aonuise (technology) Tue, 15 May 2012 01:06:34 -0000
MDB Tool 1.0.1 - View Microsoft Access databases.. (Commercial) http://t.co/WEsf0CQp
SUNRISE SELECTS TERADATA TO REPLACE ORACLE.: An article from: Worldwide Databases: This digital document is an a... http://t.co/3vAzVOpV
ShankHauserxjx (Shank Hauser) Tue, 15 May 2012 01:03:32 -0000
SUNRISE SELECTS TERADATA TO REPLACE ORACLE.: An article from: Worldwide Databases: This digital document is an a... http://t.co/3vAzVOpV
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LinuxnewsNews (Linux News) Tue, 15 May 2012 01:03:03 -0000
How To Back Up MySQL Databases With mylvmbackup On Debian Squeeze http://t.co/Tgon7EFY
How To Back Up MySQL Databases With mylvmbackup On Debian Squeeze http://t.co/8D3bfp4e
LinuxnewsNews (Linux News) Tue, 15 May 2012 00:59:53 -0000
How To Back Up MySQL Databases With mylvmbackup On Debian Squeeze http://t.co/8D3bfp4e

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