Types of Databases

Data is any piece of information, whereas database is defined as an integrated collection of logically related data, which is stored in electronic files (records) for easy access. The storage of data in a database allows the user to access the information for various purposes. Some databases may provide access rights which allow the user to perform various operations on data items such as edit, update, delete etc. Depending upon the purpose of data storage and the scope of information, database is classified as follows.

Purpose of Storage

Depending upon the purpose for which data is stored, databases can be classified into following major types of databases.

Analytical Databases
The information stored in analytical databases is mostly extracted from operation databases or external databases. This is mostly screened and edited data which is often used by the management of the organization. It is expressed as a summary of the organization's or employee's performance or sales, marketing records etc. The main purpose of analytical database is to allow the user to analyze the data, depending upon which a management policy can be formulated.

Operational Databases
Operational databases are the ones in which information needed for the operations of an organization is stored. This is mostly a detailed information about a particular person, department or subject. Therefore, they are also called Subject Area Databases (SADB).

Data Warehouse
As the name suggests, data warehouse is a large collection of data extracted from various other databases. This data can be used by anyone from a management personnel to an end user. The data is mostly expressed as an edited and screened information.

Distributed Databases
Distributed databases are the databases of an organization that are distributed at various geographic locations. The database can be either common to all the sites or it may be specific to that local site only. Distributed databases are remotely accessed from the respective local site.

End User Database
End user database is the database which results out of various operations that the user performs on different databases. The example of this is spreadsheets, word documents or downloaded files.

External Database
External database refers to an online access to an external, privately owned data. This access is mostly free and available from commercial online services. The examples include access to information of wealth regarding a particular individual or his address/phone number through online directories.

Hypermedia Database
Hypermedia database comprises a set of interconnected multimedia web pages. In this type of database, information is stored online and the data can be accessed by several users at a time.

Scope of Data

Depending upon the scope of data, databases can be classified into three major types.

General Interest Databases
General interest databases are the databases that offer information on myriad subjects. The purpose of these databases is to provide all the necessary information to the user on any topic that he searches for. They are mostly used for research work.

Discipline Specific Databases
Discipline specific databases are similar to general interest databases, however, information is more streamlined than in general interest databases. This type of databases are useful for professionals in a particular field.

Subject Specific Databases
Subject specific databases are devoted to a particular subject only. They are mostly used for academic purposes only. The information is mostly in the form of research papers from journals etc.

There are various software languages that help to access various types of databases. Innumerable operations can be performed on the data using these languages. Thus, database allows you to store, view, access and update data at any point of time.