Types of Databases Aaron Hanlon PT2520T Database concepts 6/20/2015

There are 3 main types of databases, they are flat file, hierarchical, and relational. A database by definition is a collection of data and information it does not necessarily have to be electrical, for example a contact book could be considered a database. A flat file database is the simplest form of electronic databases. It has a structured way in which it stores data, and is limited to a character amount. A common format for flat file databases is a delimited file. A delimited file grants a file to have an unlimited amount of characters as long as data is separated by a delimiter, which is often a comma or tab. A hierarchical database was the most common form of database before the relational. They are design in a tree like structure, for example, one parent table can have many child tables, but a child table may not have more than one parent table. You can navigate through them following paths. A relational database has been the most popular type of database for the last thirty years. The idea for a relational database came from Edgar F. Codd, who in 1970 while working for IBM, wrote a paper on a new theory for how databases should be set up. In a relational database each table “relates” itself with other tables by sharing common columns or “keys”. This allows you to find information faster and, when inputting or changing information, in one table all tables that are related or have use for that information will automatically update themselves. Databases are a great way for an individual or group organize all important information in one place that is easy to use and navigate for everyone who has access or needs access to the information.