What is a database?
A database is an organized system for storing, managing and retrieving information.
Modern applications use databases to store information such as users, products, orders, articles, transactions and application settings.
Why databases are important
Applications need a reliable way to store information so that it can be retrieved, updated and managed efficiently.
✦Store large amounts of information
✦Search and retrieve data efficiently
✦Update information when required
✦Control access to data
✦Maintain relationships between different types of information
✦Support multiple users and applications
Types of databases
✦Relational databases — organize information into tables and commonly use SQL.
✦Document databases — store information as flexible documents.
✦Key-value databases — store data as key-value pairs.
✦Graph databases — represent information using nodes and relationships.
Important database concepts
✦Tables and records
✦Columns and data types
✦Primary keys
✦Foreign keys
✦Relationships
✦Indexes
✦Queries
✦Transactions
How to start learning databases
✦01 — Understand tables, rows and columns
✦02 — Learn basic SQL
✦03 — Practice SELECT, INSERT, UPDATE and DELETE
✦04 — Learn primary and foreign keys
✦05 — Understand relationships
✦06 — Build a small application using a database
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