what is a database and what are databases used for.what are realtional database

[life4star2004]

used for, w? what is a database and what are databases used for.what are realtional database used for, what are flat data base used for.

[cpl007]

a database is a collection of records..

eg: a tel directory. it contains names, numbers and addresses of people..

databases are of different types, hierarchical, network, and the latest common one-relational..

oracle and db2 are examples of relational databases..

they store records in a matrix form..

they also allow sql queries and transactions..

[klymen]

A relational database is a database structured in accordance with the relational model. Strictly speaking the term refers to a specific collection of data but it is invariably employed together with the software used to manage that collection of data. That software is more correctly called a relational database management system (RDBMS).

All data that is stored in and retrieved from a relational database is cast in the form of relations. A k-adic relation is a set of k-tuples that constitutes the extension of a k-adic predicate. However, these tuples differ from the more abstract tuples of mathematics by having more concrete qualities associated with the places of the relation. In this setting, the components of the tuples, called attribute values or feature values, are identified by means of attribute names or feature names. Queries and integrity constraints are expressed declaratively, without the use of iterative loops or pointers, using operators based on the relational algebra and relation comparisons. The relational algebra is complete with respect to first-order predicate calculus except that restrictions are imposed on the use of the logical operations of negation and disjunction in order to guarantee that database computations will be feasible in practice.

en.wikipedia.org (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Relational_database)

[Ray]

A database is a place to store information for later use. You use it to build lists, reports, graphs, and a wide range of other useful things.

[hrushi]

Database is a system which facilitates the storage and maintanance of data easier.

The relational database is used to improve the efficiency of the database system.

[flingint!]

Database is where all your info is stored. It is virtual, obviously. Databases are used to retrieve info tht you need. For this you need a medium to question the databasr(db) and retrieve u info. Thats where RDBMS(RELATIONAL DATABASE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM) comes in. SQL for eg is a rdbms. It retrieves from the DB. Dont know abt flat databases