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Types of Databases

The databases are divided into two categories.

1. Flat-file database
2. Relational database

1. Flat-file Database

A database file that consists of a single data table is called flat-file database or sequential file. It is used to maintain only the simple records, e.g. list of items etc.

2. Relational Database

A database file that consists of more than one tables and the relationship can be created between tables on the common field is called relational database. For example a database “student” is created having two tables “Address” and “Marks” as shown in figure below.

In the above tables, “Code” is common field in both tables and these two tables are linked together on this field.

The relational database is very popular and it is mostly used to create and maintain the large amount of related data. In business, a relational database contains the following types of tables.

• Table to store customer information
• Table to store employee information
• Table to store order information
• Table to store inventory information etc.

The customer, order and inventory table can be linked together to process or to generate reports of orders and billing etc.

Database Management System

A database management system or DBMS is software that allows the users to organize data into databases and makes sure that the data stored into databases can be retrieved very quickly and easily. DBMS also provides many tools that are used to process the data in database very easily. The examples of DBMS software are Microsoft Access, Oracle, Sybase etc.

The major operations that can, be performed on the database by using database software are:

• Records can be added.
• Records can be deleted according to the specified criteria.
• Records can be edited.
• Records can be retrieved according to the specified criteria.
• Records can be sorted in a specific order (ascending or descending).
• Reports of records can be generated.

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