- A computer database is an electronic compilation of many different pieces of data of any kind that are stored in a single location and can be indexed or searched by a user. Databases are used to store information that needs to be viewed or retrieved later and can be structured in many different ways depending on what sort of data is being archived and what needs to be done with it.
- Databases can be defined by the type of model that they use to organize their contents. The oldest types of database models use hierarchies of multiple databases connected by a "parent-child" relationship, which can be hard to navigate through because each successive child database adds another layer of complexity that has to be sifted through to get to a specific piece of information. The most common type of database model utilizes the various relationships between pieces of data to make information much easier to find. The "object oriented" database model is the most complex type, as it attempts to mesh the concept of object oriented computer programming with database creation and allows for more advanced items to be stored such as images, sounds, or even movie clips.
- Different types of databases can also be defined by how they operate and what their intended purpose is. A database is defined as being "operational" if it is meant to be regularly modified or updated by a user, such as an address book. A database is alternatively defined as "analytic" if it is primarily meant for viewing lists of information or statistical data and can not be easily modified by a user. Some databases, such as lists of movies or books, only contain descriptions of the items in the database and do not actually contain the item itself.
- The type of database that is needed in any given situation is governed by how many items will be in the database and how it needs to be accessed. The entire internet is a huge "client/server" type of database where a client computer sends a request for a specific piece of information held on the server computer. The most common database used by individuals is Microsoft Access, while larger databases that need to be programmed to be searched in specific ways are usually made with Oracle Database or MySQL.
- The computer program called Microsoft Excel is not a database program and is not meant to be used as such. However, most businesses and individuals incorrectly attempt to use it to create databases instead of utilized Microsoft Access. Excel is meant mainly to store numbers and make calculations, although it does have limited capabilities similar to a database program, while Access is designed to efficiently store pieces of data and the relationships between those pieces.
