How to Manage Databases

Content

I. Introduction
II. What are databases
III. Importance of databases
IV. Types of Databases
V. Amazing areas where databases are used
VI. Why you should use a database
VII. Management of Databases in Web development
a) Why you should create a good database
b) Simple rules to follow while dealing with a database
c) Database Management Systems
VIII. Conclusion

Databases have been used for a while now. However, in the past, people were using Microsoft access to store data. This was mainly done offline, but databases are normally stored either online or offline. To be on the safe side, it is essential to know about databases and how to manage them in the right way.

There are many professions out there that require one to know the basics of databases and its management.

Let’s find out what databases are:

What are databases?
In simpler terms, a database is a system where files, records and data are stored. For instance, in a registration form, when you enter data; you normally get a confirmation message, stating that your data has been stored. The information is normally stored in the database. This is what a back-end developer does to the site to ensure all the information is safe.

All the three types of developers; front-end, back-end and full-stack developers are normally familiar with databases. However, one has to be careful in what entity will be the primary key because any kind of misinterpretation can mess up the whole database.

Thus a database is meant to store data and help make the storage and retrieving process as easy as possible.

Importance of Databases


• They help store data.
• Databases help in easy retrieval of information.
• They are a better way of compiling information
• It is hard for a database to lose its content unlike losing hard copy files.
• Information is retrieved for the user quickly
• Maps use databases so as to present direction for a certain area at ease.
• Databases are structured thus nothing can get mixed with the other
• Databases enable more functions to happen.

Types of databases

1) MySQl
MySQL is well-known by many people, as it is used with programming languages such as PHP. Apart from the known MySQL, there is also a community of MySQL where you can get all your questions answered. In the community, you can also get to learn about web development.
Databases
If you want to create large applications, it is recommended to find the commercial versions of the MySQL for easy development.

2) DB2 Express-C
This is another awesome database storage system. However, it is quite slow. It is easy to navigate through but doesn’t have a lot of resources on the net. Additionally, it is recommended for newbies in web development.

3) Microsoft Access
You must be familiar with Microsoft Access; it comes in the full suite of Microsoft office. It is also used to store data in the form of a database. Microsoft Access used to be popular in the past, but is rarely used nowadays. However, many offices still opt for it.

If you are a web developer, you can also use it. It is easy to operate and enter the data you wish at ease. You can easily design a task or table then view the kind of syntax that will be created after that action.

For its structure, it comes as a design tool and also a Database Management System. The only limitation of Microsoft Access is that it is slow to retrieve data and requires to be used in low traffic websites/sites. If you try to use it on heavy sites it can end up being a huge disappointment.

Databse design tool

4) Oracle
Oracle can operate on multiple operating systems at a go. Fortunately, oracle express edition can be used on moderate traffic websites. However, if you try on a heavy traffic website, you will be disappointed.

Amazing areas where databases are used
You can easily be amazed to know that databases are used in these common areas and for certain services.

These include:
• Television Broadcasting
• News
• Games
• Cloud Storage
• Weather forecast
• National and International sports
• Governments
• Social Media sites
• Financial organizations
• Online stores
• Hospitals
• Learning Institutions
• Office departments
• Content Management Systems

Management of Databases in Web development


For starters in management, you need to create a good database structure.

Why you should create a good database

If you have a good database, be assured that only useful information will be stored. If the database is shady, information will easily get lost or be mixed elsewhere. Thus it is essential to make the tables as simple as possible and not to complicate them.

With a good database, information that is already there won’t be repeated. The system will remember that similar data is already stored and brings out a different go ahead. There won’t be any duplication as the primary key will always be noted when repeated.

This also applies when on an account and you forget your password, when you are requested to write your email, the system finds it and sends your password via it. If the database hadn’t been made in the right way, a wrong password would be sent.

Cascading in the database allows data consistency. This applies where there are child tables and the parent table. Thus only the valid records of the child tables will be laid emphasis on and stored.

With a good database, be assured that the execution and retrieval will be fast. The management and maintenance will also be easy.

Simple rules to follow when dealing with databases

Use minimal number of tables, if you have too many tables your data structure will be so heavy and reduce its flexibility. Thus, retrieving of data will be very hard. It will also reduce its readability capacity. For instance, if you are working on localhost, you might end up being confused on how you will configure some certain stuff so as to work.
working on localhost
If you have similar information, you don’t have to keep repeating it over and over again. Create a good structured table and enter the entity that you want to store and make sure you name it in a way that you will always remember.

Make a point of thinking of the data that you will need. The one that you will need often, make sure you set it in the right way. Let it be simple to retrieve and interpret.

Make sure you get enough resources that will help you advance in the knowledge of databases. In this way, you will always be up to date with the trends, know how to troubleshoot certain problems and do your best to simplify things.

Database Management systems are programs that allow users to access various databases, store, manipulate, interpret and retrieve data. These systems also aid in the organization of certain data and in its access. Up to now there are four major types of Database Management Systems.

These are
a) Hierarchical Database Management System
It’s unique function is that it employs the parent-child relationship in regards to storing data. The configuration settings are normally stored as tree structures.

b) Relational Database Management System
Just as its name suggests, it defines database relations in form of tables. That’s the unique aspect of it. However, there is a limitation in the number of relationships that it can have. These include Microsoft SQL, MySQL and Oracle.

c) Network Database Management System
For this, it can support many database relations unlike for relational that can only handle a few of them. Thus in the process it results to complex database structures.

d) Object-oriented Relation Database Management System
For this it mainly supports storage of data types in the form of objects. Moreover, there are certain attributes that need to be allocated.

Conclusion: –
Databases are important in the modern web development. There is no Content Management System that you can manage without a back-end database. This applies to Joomla, WordPress, Drupal, Ecommerce (os class, magento, abante cart and much more).

modern web development

It is important to understand all the table concepts such as Varchar, Integer, Null, Primary Key, Name and how to give them appropriate numbering. Databases are easy to manage if you get the concept well.

There are various types of databases and database management systems that can help you along the way. Thus as a web developer it is essential to have the best understanding of databases if you want to operate everything at the right pace.

However, you can decide to specialize in either of the database types and do enough research on each of them.