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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#NoelLynch *Met Police: This is the link for anyone who would like to know about their database record.http://www.me... http://bit.ly/17DHma
GreenFeed (GreenFeed) Wed, 04 Nov 2009 14:41:09 -0000
#NoelLynch *Met Police: This is the link for anyone who would like to know about their database record.http://www.me... http://bit.ly/17DHma
Plesk license table corrupted due to license update from Parallels. Have restored database from backup and relicensed. Issue resolved.
aismedia_tech (AIS Media) Wed, 04 Nov 2009 14:41:07 -0000
Plesk license table corrupted due to license update from Parallels. Have restored database from backup and relicensed. Issue resolved.
Encourage the Royal Mail to offer a free postcode database http://petitions.number10.gov.uk/nfppostcodes/
timcraft (Tim F) Wed, 04 Nov 2009 14:40:25 -0000
Encourage the Royal Mail to offer a free postcode database http://petitions.number10.gov.uk/nfppostcodes/
Bezig met m'n eerste database recovery op sql server... gelukkig in een test omgeving!
RemcoBoerma (Remco Boerma) Wed, 04 Nov 2009 14:40:18 -0000
Bezig met m'n eerste database recovery op sql server... gelukkig in een test omgeving!
Mysql database driven Website by alswana: I want a Mysql website building that is database driven. I need it to.. http://cli.gs/q4ESM
top_flash_jobs (Flash jobs) Wed, 04 Nov 2009 14:39:24 -0000
Mysql database driven Website by alswana: I want a Mysql website building that is database driven. I need it to.. http://cli.gs/q4ESM
We are going to have database maintenance tonight at 02:00AM CEST. Sorry for any inconvenience caused. Downtime should be minimal.
expono (Expono Photo Sharing) Wed, 04 Nov 2009 14:38:59 -0000
We are going to have database maintenance tonight at 02:00AM CEST. Sorry for any inconvenience caused. Downtime should be minimal.

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