Technology
What is A database?
A database is an organized collection of information stored so a computer can quickly find, add, and update it. From your bank balance to a shopping app's product list, databases are the structured memory behind almost every app and website.
See it, don’t just read it.
Watch a 2-minute lesson with voice + animation that explains a database.
Key things to understand
- 1An organized store of information a computer can search fast.
- 2Data is arranged in tables, documents, or keys.
- 3Apps read from and write to it constantly.
- 4A query language like SQL retrieves exactly what's needed.
Frequently asked questions
- What is a database used for?
- To store and quickly retrieve structured information — user accounts, transactions, messages, products, and almost any app data.
- What is SQL?
- SQL (Structured Query Language) is the standard language for asking a database to find, add, change, or delete specific data.
- What's the difference between SQL and NoSQL databases?
- SQL databases store data in strict related tables; NoSQL databases trade some structure for flexibility and scale.