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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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Online Services :: Bioinformatics
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Software :: Informatics
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Base De Dados Tropical - Disseminates biological information of environmental and industrial interest, hoping to contribute directly to the conservation and sustainable use of Brazil's biological resources. Languages: Portuguese, with English pages for javascript-enabled browsers.
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Biodiversity Data Sourcebook - 140 pages of tabular data with supporting text and graphics, on global biodiversity. Topics are covered in a concise way, using tables supported by minimal text and graphics. They include country species diversity, threatened species, national Red Data Books, major food crops, domestic livestock, marine resources, tropical forests, protected areas and systematics collections. (FTP site).
ETI - World Biodiversity Database - A continuously growing taxonomic database and information system that aims at documenting all known species.
Fauna Europaea - Will assemble a database of all European land and fresh-water animals.
Global Biodiversity Information Facility - Will be an interoperable network of biodiversity databases and information technology tools.
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Internet Biodiversity Service - Access to biodiversity databases.
Meta Description: [ Fishbase, Man and Biosphere,Archaeozoology, Fossil Record, angiosperm phylogeny ]
Netherlands' Biodiversity Information Facility - Node for the Global Biodiversity Information Facility. Background information and links to partners.
Meta Description: [ NLBIF is the Dutch national node of the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF). This site provides access to biodiversity data, information and know-how in the Netherlands and worldwide.
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Species in Parks: Flora and Fauna Database - Online database of plant and vertebrate animal species reported to occur within lands managed by the U.S. National Park Service.
Threatened Animals of the World - The World Conservation Monitoring Centre Animals Database holds information on threatened species and others of conservation concern.
Meta Description: [ UNEP-WCMC . ]
UNEP-WCMC: Threatened Plants Database - Contains information on over 136,000 plant taxa of conservation importance based on 19,000 data sources.
Meta Description: [ UNEP-WCMC . ]
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