Essential Guide to Computing: The Story of Information Technology, The

Databases

Databases are very much at the center of computing. Most computer applications are either designed to use databases or employ them in the course of doing their jobs. For example, an operating system maintains a database of resources, a word processor has a database of fonts, and so forth. As a way of guiding yourself through this complex subject, note that this section covers six major topics.

• The elements of a database

• Planning a database

• The relational model of database organization

• Nonrelational databases

• The power of "legacy" database systems

• Database markets

The Elements of a Database

A database is simply a way of organizing information. A bunch of books piled on the floor is a collection of information. A bunch of books placed on shelves ...