If you have a website (on WordPress or another platform) or have thought about building one, you have certainly heard about databases . Databases can be used in a variety of contexts, from HR information control, to the storage and management of information on websites and blogs.
You need to understand what your needs are to find the ideal database management system for your business.
In addition, you can build your own database. It is necessary to be careful with some details, but if everything is done carefully and following some basic steps, it will be functional and meet the demands.
We decided to create this content as a true guide to help companies understand what a database is, what are the types, what is the importance of this investment and how to create yours.
Want to learn more about the subject? We will cover the following topics in this post. Look:
- What is a database?
- How important is a database?
- What are the advantages of a database?
- What are the main types of database?
- How to create database?
- How to manage the database?
What is a database?
The database is the organization and storage of information about a specific domain. More simply, it is the grouping of data that deal with the same subject, and that need to be stored for security or future conference.
It is common for companies to have a variety of information that needs to be organized and made available within the business so that they can be consulted later by the team and management.
Therefore, it is interesting to have a database management system, DBMS, to be able to manipulate information and make the company’s routine much simpler.
Today, there are several types of DBMSs, and each one is suitable for a customer’s need. The most common are: Oracle, DB2, MySQL, SQL Server, PostgreSQL and others.
If your company has a WordPress site or some other platform, the database is essential to maintain the good functioning and practicality in the day-to-day business.
How important is a database?
If you’re wondering why WordPress needs a database, the answer is simple: to allow you to store all the information contained on your website and blog in WordPress efficiently, allowing the user to have the best experience possible and actually get browse and find all the information you need during your search.
This correctly organized data will help to improve not only the experience of these visitors, but also the routine of your IT area. After all, your professionals will be able to access, store and restore data whenever necessary with the use of a good database management tool.
The database can be considered one of the most important parts of WordPress, as it will be responsible for keeping your website and blog running smoothly, with daily backups that prevent the loss of information.
What are the advantages of a database?
The investment in a good database can bring several benefits to the company, positively impacting not only the team’s productivity, but also the alignment between the teams and the results achieved monthly.
Improved relationship and productivity in the company
When we talk about improving the relationship in the company, we are talking about the way that the most diverse sectors communicate.
An efficient database will allow several different areas to communicate and keep your expectations, goals and objectives clear through data management.
The sectors will be able to work, understanding exactly what is the real information about the company and what needs to be achieved. This transparency can be a way of aligning the expectations of the different teams, in addition to improving the productivity of these teams, avoiding conflicts and increasing the potential for good results.
Reduction of operating risks
With the transparency of the information, it is possible to reduce operating risks within the company. This is because all teams will be aligned with the needs and demands of the business, and will be able to have their actions coordinated and commanded as a single large team.
The sectors will have more assertiveness in their tasks, which will allow other teams to also stand out and improve their performance on a daily basis.
Increased security
In addition, we have increased security within the company. With an information management system, it will be possible to have more peace of mind with the storage of this data, allowing access to be restricted and that only specific people can view the documents.
Improved decision making
The company that has a good database also has the necessary tranquility and transparency to make decisions much more efficiently.
Many companies still decide important issues through guesswork. With the database, you will have valuable information to base and evaluate the scenario as a whole, in a clear and transparent way.
Soon you will also be able to identify the main bottlenecks and improvements that need to be made within your company.
What are the main types of database?
There are several database options available on the market. But, before we work on each one, we need to understand the difference between relational and non-relational databases.
The relational databases are created in the paradigm of guidance sets. In this way, the data that is available there will be stored in tables. Each table will have attributes and rows or records responsible for organizing this information.
They are commonly used for tabular data, which has a much simpler insertion and also allows recovery in a more practical way on a daily basis. The language used in this format is SQL, Structured Query Language. Therefore, if you want to use a relational database, you need to pay attention to this detail.
They are ideal for CRMs, ERPs or even corporate financial management.
Already the non – relational databases are responsible for meeting demands that relational databases can not meet. An example of demands is that of mixed data, where tables, images and maps are mixed, for example, which cannot be tabulated in columns and table rows.
Its solutions are based on cloud storage. The language used in this format is NoSQL, Not Only SQL.
If you are thinking about programming a blog in WordPress or building a website for your company, you need to know the main types of database.
Oracle
The Oracle Database is the database management system most used in the world. It works with the SQL language, and guarantees security and several resources for its customers and users.
One of the advantages of this model is the facility to be installed on the most diverse platforms, being compatible with BIM AIX, IBM VMS, Windows, Linux, Unix and HP / UX.
However, it is interesting to invest in good hardware so that performance is not degraded.
Another advantage of Oracle is its documentation. It is extremely detailed and, therefore, developers will have much more knowledge of the resources available on the platform.
In addition, Oracle offers security and performance features that guarantee the quality of work and the tranquility of users, making it the best alternative for large companies or businesses that have more complex requirements.
SQL Server
The SQL Server , created by Microsoft, is well known and used in the market. The language used in this tool is T-SQL, and offers advanced and differentiated features to facilitate the updating of data and the storage of information in a safe and reliable way.
SQL Server works with integrated encryption systems, allowing information to be viewed or changed only by the people in charge, which ensures even more security and peace of mind for users and businessmen.
It is an alternative commonly used in online stores, government institutions, banks and industries of the most diverse sizes.
MySQL
The MySQL is a relational database that belongs to Oracle. One of the most striking features of this model is the fact that it is an Open Source. It uses the SQL language and works with commercial and free software licenses.
MySQL stands out for its easy use and a security and reliability structure that has allowed companies and applications based on the internet to use its resources. Among the main users are Google, Facebook, Youtube, Twitter and NASA.
Another advantage is the easy integration with PHP of the hosting packages that are commonly offered.
PostgreSQL
The PostgreSQL is also a relational database manager Open Source, commonly used for online systems such as Skype, Apple and the São Paulo Metro.
It is considered one of the most advanced alternatives on the market, with differentiated and complex resources, which allows users to have easier access and transactional integrity. This alternative requires a powerful hardware solution so as not to hinder development.
PostgreSQL has the ability to support a large data flow, ensuring security and stability, as well as high performance for an even more affordable value.
NoSQL
The NoSQL is a non – relational database system, as explained above. Today, this term is commonly used by people who produce content through devices, social networks and other types of web functionality, which require data management in different formats.
The use of NoSQL databases will allow you to have greater scalability and greater savings on a daily basis, because, unlike some that we have already presented throughout this article, it does not require very powerful hardware.
NoSQL also has a much simpler and more practical maintenance, which can allow the team to be reduced and the expenses revised, becoming a very interesting alternative for large companies.
MongoDB
The MongoDB is one of the biggest highlights of the market. This database is Open Source and is one of the most used by several companies. Its system runs on Windows, Linux and OSX, with C ++ programming language.
Its use is oriented towards JSON documents, allowing tables and columns to be created beforehand. The performance of the system is excellent, due to its programming language, which promises better performance and peace of mind on a daily basis.
MongoDB was created to guarantee a certain dynamic. For this reason, it was thought of Big Data, being able to support its scaling both vertically and horizontally. In addition, it uses replica sets, which allow it to be able to handle a large volume of information.
Redis
The Redis has become a popular database in the market, and also functions as Open Source. Through this system, the information is stored in the key-value format.
It is an alternative that stands out for its speed , functionality and ease of use, being commonly used in online and mobile applications, such as ad technology and games, for example.
This system has a more versatile set of structures, responsible for the ease in creating applications, and the agility for writing and reading data.
If all of this seems too complex, don’t worry. There are companies that assist customers in choosing the database and building the website and blog. One of them is Stage , a service from Rock Content.
How to create database?
To create your database system, it is necessary to have a project that contemplates the organization of information and evaluates the use of techniques that will allow the performance of the system.
In addition, it is also essential to consider a system that allows maintenance to be carried out smoothly, whenever necessary.
In short, a project for the database system is divided into two phases, which concern a database system not yet implemented:
- creation of conceptual modeling;
- creation of the logical project.
In the case of the need to optimize and improve a database system that already exists, is very old, has no documentation or needs to be updated, it will be necessary to follow a technique called Reverse Engineering.
How to manage the database?
In order to do an efficient database management, some things need to be considered. The first is the assessment of the infrastructure of the system being used. Make sure you are having all your needs addressed with the current system structure.
That done, it’s time to think about the organizational methodology. Create a methodology that suits your demands and allows you to organize and find information according to your company’s preferences.
It’s time to think about data access: it needs to be easy, simple and practical, to make the company’s routine and employees’ daily lives much more efficient.
To make this routine even simpler, the tip is to automate the database management. Now that the organization methodology has been defined, visualize how it will be possible to make these tasks much more automated.
It is interesting to maintain automatic backup and, in some cases, allow the next system to intelligently cross-check data, to easily identify metrics and possible problems.
Last but not least, it is essential that you monitor your data management system, to identify everything that is happening, if some adjustments are necessary or if you need to carry out some updates.
The database is a fundamental part for the good functioning of a company, from the management of internal information to the content management of the business website and blog.
For the work to be efficient and guarantee the safety and tranquility of the entire company, it is necessary to be careful with some details.
Do you want to know more about it? Check out our article Understand what DDoS is and how to prevent attacks on your company’s website .
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