Types of Databases

Types of Databases

1. Flat Databases

   • Consists only as a table
   • Data not linked

2. Relational Databases

   • Links all the information together from different tables without having to repeat data in a single table
   • Less mistakes with lots of data
   • Easy to use
   • Features
     • Information separated into discrete entities
       • Based on the real world
       • e.g. employee, product, order
     • Entites are described by a series of fields
       • Describes the structure of the entities
       • e.g. product name, weight, price, etc.
     • Entities are connected by a series of relationships
       • Built using common field
       • Represented by entity relationship diagrams

3. Local Databases

   • Only one person can access this database
   • Private data e.g. Finances

4. Network Databases

   • More than one person can access it
   • Different levels of access
   • Only devices linked to network server can access

5. Online Databases

   • Examples
     • Tesco
     • eBay
     • Amazon
     • Youtube
   • Why are they used?
     • They are used to store information so that it can be accessed from home, work or school