Imagine a database as a giant, organized filing cabinet for information. It’s a shared collection of related data – facts we can record that have meaning.
Database properties
- Mini-world mirror: A database is like a reflection of a slice of the real world. Think of a dollhouse as a mini-world. When you move furniture in the dollhouse, it represents changes in a real house. Similarly, when something changes in the real world, it should change in the database too.
- Organized, not random: A database is like a well-planned garden, not a wild field of weeds. It’s a logically coherent collection of data. A list of random names is just a list, but add addresses and phone numbers, and voila! You’ve got yourself a database (aka an address book).
- Built with purpose: Databases are like custom-built tools. You don’t create a hammer just for fun – you make it to hit nails. Similarly, databases are designed for specific purposes. Maybe a university wants to track student GPAs for the dean’s list – that’s where a specialized database comes in handy.
Real-world connection
Databases aren’t just static information dumps. They’re more like living, breathing organisms that interact with the real world. When something changes in the real world – like a student’s exam score going up – a connected database should jot down this new information, keeping itself current and reliable.