Week 8 - Relational Database

A relational database is a system used to store and organize information in a structured way. Instead of keeping everything in one long file, it separates information into tables. These tables work a lot like spreadsheets, with columns that describe the type of data, such as a name or a date, and rows that contain the actual data. What makes relational databases special is that the tables can be connected, or related, to each other. For example, one table might hold customer information, while another stores their orders, and the database links those pieces together.

This approach was first introduced in 1970 by E. F. Codd, a researcher at IBM. Before that, information was often kept in flat files, which made it hard to find specific details or make connections between different pieces of data. Codd’s idea completely changed how businesses manage large amounts of information.

To interact with a relational database, people use a language called SQL, or Structured Query Language. It allows them to search, update, and manage data by writing specific commands. Even though other types of databases have become more common for certain uses, especially when dealing with unstructured data like social media posts or videos, relational databases remain a reliable and widely used choice in many industries.

They continue to be a popular solution because they help keep information accurate, consistent, and easy to access. By organizing data into related tables and using a standard language like SQL, relational databases make managing complex information a lot simpler.


Contributors, H. (2024, October 9). What is a relational database? example and uses. https://computer.howstuffworks.com/question599.htm

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