Transforming Lives. 
Inventing the Future.
Database
In order for a program to be useful beyond its execution time, it must be able to store and retrieve information for long term use. One can choose to do this by reading and writing out to a text file. Yet there's a more effecient way, by using a database. Back in the days without computers, data and records were stored on paper stacked into cabinets. Now it can be done easily by employing the use of database.
The most widely use type of data storage system is relational database management system (RDBMS). In this system, records are stored by rows (records) in a logical table. Each table conists of one or more 'primary' keys. These are attributes that uniquely identify a particular record inside the table. It also allows for definition of relationship between tables. Thus, a database is comprised of interrelated tables that store various records and have functions for inserting, retrieving, and updating the records. SQL is the common language for manipulating the database.
There are many RDBMs out there: MS Access, MySQL, DB2, PostgreSQL, Oracle, etc. Some of them are open source (free) while others might cause thousands of dollars. Data Analyst, Database Administrator, or Data Architect are some positions that work with databases. They are responsible for planning, creating, deploying and maintaining the data needs of an organization.
Introduction to Databases for the Web: Pt. 1 - read all 11 pages.
Introduction to Databases for the Web: Pt. 2 - read all 10 pages.
Demonstration - Try executing some SQL statements on a sample database.
