#Basics of Data

Data is a collection of a distinct small unit of information. For example, your name, age, height, weight, etc. are some data related to you. A picture, image, file, pdf, etc. can also be considered data.

Database

A database is an organized/ systematic collection of data so that it can be easily accessed and managed.
They support electronic storage and manipulation of data.
Databases make data management easy.
You can organize data into tables, rows, columns, and index it to make it easier to find relevant information.
The main purpose of the database is to operate a large amount of information by storing, retrieving, and managing data.

Example: An online telephone directory uses a database to store data of people, phone numbers, and other contact details. Your electricity service provider uses a database to manage billing, client-related issues, handle fault data, etc.

Example: Facebook. It needs to store, manipulate, and present data related to members, their friends, member activities, messages, advertisements, and a lot more. We can provide a countless number of examples for the usage of databases.

There are many databases available like MySQL, Sybase, Oracle, MongoDB, Informix, PostgreSQL, SQL Server, etc.
Modern databases are managed by the database management system (DBMS).
SQL or Structured Query Language is used to operate on the data stored in a database. SQL depends on relational algebra and tuple relational calculus.

SQL

SQL stands for Structured Query Language.
It is used for storing and managing data in a relational database management system (RDMS).
It is a standard language for Relational Database systems.
It enables a user to create, read, update and delete relational databases and tables.
All the RDBMS like MySQL, Informix, Oracle, MS Access and SQL Server use SQL as their standard database language.
SQL allows users to query the database in several ways, using English-like statements.

Characteristics of SQL

SQL is easy to learn.
SQL is used to access data from relational database management systems.
SQL can execute queries against the database.
SQL is used to describe the data.
SQL is used to define the data in the database and manipulate it when needed.
SQL is used to create and drop the database and table.
SQL is used to create a view, stored procedure, function in a database.
SQL allows users to set permissions on tables, procedures, and views.

Advantages of SQL

High speed

Using the SQL queries, the user can quickly and efficiently retrieve a large number of records from a database.

No coding needed

In the standard SQL, it is very easy to manage the database system. It doesn't require a substantial amount of code to manage the database system.

Well defined standards

Long established are used by the SQL databases that are being used by ISO and ANSI.

Portability

SQL can be used in laptops, PCs, servers and even some mobile phones.

Interactive language

SQL is a domain language used to communicate with the database. It is also used to receive answers to complex questions in seconds.

Multiple data views

Using the SQL language, the users can make different views of the database structure.

cs.lectures

SQL Introduction

SQL