[Nottingham] Planet NottsLUG

[Matt Bunter]

>Not so long ago in a Lugmeet not far away a riddler did pose these
>questions three...
>
>	1) What is a database ?
>  
>
Anything that stores data with the intention of it (or parts of it) 
being retrieved. A text file can be part of a database.

Don't just think in terms of Relational databases. Lots of the worlds 
data is stored in hierarchical databases.

NOTE : if anyone doesn't believe this statement then study IMS and CICS 
which are both mainframe (z/OS aka OS/390 aka MVS) based. IMS is a 
hierarchical db and CICS accesses data in VSAM files.

>	2) Why or when should I use a database ?
>  
>
Why - databases or Database management systems can ensure intergrity, 
security, availability blah blah blah of the data.

When - if your data needs intergrity, security, availability blah blah blah

My simple answer :

When you have more than one user who may access and/or update data at 
the same time that is important - use a database.

>	3) How do I use a database ?
>  
>
I'm more of a 'system' DBA than a development DBA. AFAIK all the Open 
Source databases are relational and use SQL as the data definition and 
data manipulation language. So ... learn SQL. Plus in a recent Most 
Sought IT Skills survey, SQL came second. Oracle was first.

>and I'm going to answer them with this introductory who where what why
>when of databases and how to access them from your
>C/PERL/Python/PHP/COBOL ...... code.
>
>Have fun,
>  
>
I am. Databases are the most interesting area of IT that I've come 
across. Problem is, I have to learn SQL Server as well.

Regards,

Matt