Relational Databases Introduction to Information Technology

Assignment 3: Databases

Introduction to Information Technology

Abstract

This paper will describe what a relational database is and why they are needed. It will describe the process of normalization and why it is needed. This study will contrast and compare logical and physical database designs. Last, it will critique Structured Query Language (SQL) as a computer user-friendly language.

Keywords: Relational, Databases, Computers

Relational databases have been around since 1970. E.F. Codd, a researcher at IBM, completed a paper explaining the concept of relational databases. From this paper written in 1970, the relational databases have become more popular, so popular they have become the standard in the computer world. Although many languages are available, such as SQL, Oracle, PostgeSQL, and many more, the concept remains the same.

The concept behind using a relational database to organize your data is simple. This concept is called the relational model, which states that all data will be grouped into relations in tables. Each table has fields which are represented in columns and records which are represented by rows. In a relational database you can find specific information by searching for a specific field from each record. The use of mathematical relations to build other tables that relate to each other increase the speed and versatility of the database.

Being the standard, relational databases are everywhere, tables are used in many applications in the computer world. Our banks are one of the most common examples, without relational databases all the information that a bank uses to complete transactions will be a mess. Internet web sites, such as amazon require relational databases to keep track of sales, inventory, orders, shipping, basically the database is the heart of these big retailer websites. Without them there will be no organization, just chaos and a bunch of data stored everywhere. As for the future of relational database,...