igforum.bio / glossary-of-common-database-terms - 115031
D
%Start Glossary of Common Database Terms GA S REGULAR Menu Lifewire Tech for Humans Newsletter! Search Close GO Software & Apps &gt; Apps 97 97 people found this article helpful <h1> Glossary of Common Database Terms</h1> <h2> Master the basic lingo of database management</h2> By Mike Chapple Mike Chapple Writer University of Idaho Auburn University Notre Dame Former Lifewire writer Mike Chapple is an IT professional with more than 10 years&#39; experience cybersecurity and extensive knowledge of SQL and database management.
Dylan Patel Member
access_time 3 minutes ago
%Start Glossary of Common Database Terms GA S REGULAR Menu Lifewire Tech for Humans Newsletter! Search Close GO Software & Apps > Apps 97 97 people found this article helpful

Glossary of Common Database Terms

Master the basic lingo of database management

By Mike Chapple Mike Chapple Writer University of Idaho Auburn University Notre Dame Former Lifewire writer Mike Chapple is an IT professional with more than 10 years' experience cybersecurity and extensive knowledge of SQL and database management.
thumb_up Like (27)
comment Reply (0)
share Share
visibility 308 views
thumb_up 27 likes
C
lifewire's editorial guidelines Updated on July 25, 2020 Tweet Share Email Tweet Share Email <h3> In This Article</h3> Expand Jump to a Section ACID Attribute Authentication BASE Model Constraints Database Management System Entity Functional Dependency Index Key Normalization NoSQL Null Query Schema Stored Procedure Structured Query Language Trigger View This glossary covers database terms and concepts used across all types of databases. It does not include terms specific to certain systems or databases.
Charlotte Lee Member
access_time 8 minutes ago
lifewire's editorial guidelines Updated on July 25, 2020 Tweet Share Email Tweet Share Email

In This Article

Expand Jump to a Section ACID Attribute Authentication BASE Model Constraints Database Management System Entity Functional Dependency Index Key Normalization NoSQL Null Query Schema Stored Procedure Structured Query Language Trigger View This glossary covers database terms and concepts used across all types of databases. It does not include terms specific to certain systems or databases.
thumb_up Like (43)
comment Reply (2)
thumb_up 43 likes
comment 2 replies
G
Grace Liu 6 minutes ago
stevecoleimages/Vetta/Getty Images

ACID

The ACID model of database design enforces data...
S
Sofia Garcia 2 minutes ago
An attribute is a column in a database table, which itself is known as an entity.

Authenticatio...

J
stevecoleimages/Vetta/Getty Images <h2> ACID </h2> The ACID model of database design enforces data integrity through: Atomicity: Each database transaction must follow an all-or-nothing rule, meaning that if any part of the transaction fails, the entire transaction fails.Consistency: Each database transaction must follow all the database&#39;s defined rules; any transaction that would violate these rules is not allowed.Isolation: Each database transaction will occur independently of any other transaction. For example, if multiple transactions are submitted concurrently, the database will prevent any interference between them.Durability: Each database transaction will permanently exist despite any database failure, through backups or other means. <h2> Attribute </h2> A database attribute is a characteristic of a database entity.
James Smith Moderator
access_time 6 minutes ago
stevecoleimages/Vetta/Getty Images

ACID

The ACID model of database design enforces data integrity through: Atomicity: Each database transaction must follow an all-or-nothing rule, meaning that if any part of the transaction fails, the entire transaction fails.Consistency: Each database transaction must follow all the database's defined rules; any transaction that would violate these rules is not allowed.Isolation: Each database transaction will occur independently of any other transaction. For example, if multiple transactions are submitted concurrently, the database will prevent any interference between them.Durability: Each database transaction will permanently exist despite any database failure, through backups or other means.

Attribute

A database attribute is a characteristic of a database entity.
thumb_up Like (11)
comment Reply (1)
thumb_up 11 likes
comment 1 replies
D
David Cohen 4 minutes ago
An attribute is a column in a database table, which itself is known as an entity.

Authenticatio...

J
An attribute is a column in a database table, which itself is known as an entity. <h2> Authentication </h2> Databases use authentication to ensure that only authorized users can access the database or certain aspects of the database. For example, administrators might be authorized to insert or edit data, while regular employees might be able to only view data.
Joseph Kim Member
access_time 8 minutes ago
An attribute is a column in a database table, which itself is known as an entity.

Authentication

Databases use authentication to ensure that only authorized users can access the database or certain aspects of the database. For example, administrators might be authorized to insert or edit data, while regular employees might be able to only view data.
thumb_up Like (5)
comment Reply (1)
thumb_up 5 likes
comment 1 replies
D
Dylan Patel 5 minutes ago
Authentication is implemented with usernames and passwords.

BASE Model

The BASE model has...
A
Authentication is implemented with usernames and passwords. <h2> BASE Model </h2> The BASE model has been developed as an alternative to the ACID model to serve the needs of noSQL databases in which the data is not structured in the same way required by relational databases. Its primary tenets are: Basic Availability: The database is available and operational, backed sometimes by data replication distributed across several servers.Soft State: Countering the ACID model of strict consistency, this tenet states that data does not always have to be consistent and that any enforced consistency is the responsibility of the individual database or developer.Eventual Consistency: At some undefined future point, the database will achieve consistency.
Amelia Singh Moderator
access_time 20 minutes ago
Authentication is implemented with usernames and passwords.

BASE Model

The BASE model has been developed as an alternative to the ACID model to serve the needs of noSQL databases in which the data is not structured in the same way required by relational databases. Its primary tenets are: Basic Availability: The database is available and operational, backed sometimes by data replication distributed across several servers.Soft State: Countering the ACID model of strict consistency, this tenet states that data does not always have to be consistent and that any enforced consistency is the responsibility of the individual database or developer.Eventual Consistency: At some undefined future point, the database will achieve consistency.
thumb_up Like (16)
comment Reply (3)
thumb_up 16 likes
comment 3 replies
D
David Cohen 12 minutes ago

Constraints

A database constraint is a set of rules that define valid data. The primary c...
K
Kevin Wang 15 minutes ago
A Relational Database Management System implements the relational model of tables and relationships ...
Show 1 more replies
I
<h2> Constraints </h2> A database constraint is a set of rules that define valid data. The primary constraints are: UNIQUE constraints: A field must contain a unique value in the table.CHECK constraints: A field can contain only specific data types or even specific allowable values.DEFAULT constraints: A field will contain a default value if it has no existing value to preclude a null value.PRIMARY KEY Constraints: The primary key must be unique.FOREIGN KEY Constraints: The foreign key must match an existing primary key in another table. <h2> Database Management System </h2> DBMS is the software that manages all aspects of working with a database, from storing and securing the data to enforcing data integrity rules, to providing forms for data entry and manipulation.
Isaac Schmidt Member
access_time 30 minutes ago

Constraints

A database constraint is a set of rules that define valid data. The primary constraints are: UNIQUE constraints: A field must contain a unique value in the table.CHECK constraints: A field can contain only specific data types or even specific allowable values.DEFAULT constraints: A field will contain a default value if it has no existing value to preclude a null value.PRIMARY KEY Constraints: The primary key must be unique.FOREIGN KEY Constraints: The foreign key must match an existing primary key in another table.

Database Management System

DBMS is the software that manages all aspects of working with a database, from storing and securing the data to enforcing data integrity rules, to providing forms for data entry and manipulation.
thumb_up Like (4)
comment Reply (0)
thumb_up 4 likes
H
A Relational Database Management System implements the relational model of tables and relationships between them. <h2> Entity </h2> An entity is a table in a database. It is described using an Entity-Relationship Diagram, which is a type of graphic that shows the relationships amongdatabase tables.
Hannah Kim Member
access_time 21 minutes ago
A Relational Database Management System implements the relational model of tables and relationships between them.

Entity

An entity is a table in a database. It is described using an Entity-Relationship Diagram, which is a type of graphic that shows the relationships amongdatabase tables.
thumb_up Like (3)
comment Reply (3)
thumb_up 3 likes
comment 3 replies
A
Alexander Wang 11 minutes ago

Functional Dependency

A functional dependency constraint helps to ensure data validity, a...
W
William Brown 17 minutes ago
the unique student ID will determine the value of the name.

Index

An index is a data stru...
Show 1 more replies
K
<h2> Functional Dependency </h2> A functional dependency constraint helps to ensure data validity, and exists when one attribute determines the value of another, described as A -&gt; B which means that the value of A determines the value of B, or that B is functionally dependent on A. For example, a table in a university that includes records of all students might have a functional dependency between the student ID and the student name, i.e.
Kevin Wang Member
access_time 16 minutes ago

Functional Dependency

A functional dependency constraint helps to ensure data validity, and exists when one attribute determines the value of another, described as A -> B which means that the value of A determines the value of B, or that B is functionally dependent on A. For example, a table in a university that includes records of all students might have a functional dependency between the student ID and the student name, i.e.
thumb_up Like (27)
comment Reply (2)
thumb_up 27 likes
comment 2 replies
L
Lily Watson 1 minutes ago
the unique student ID will determine the value of the name.

Index

An index is a data stru...
Z
Zoe Mueller 2 minutes ago
Database developers create an index on particular columns in a table. The index holds the column va...
N
the unique student ID will determine the value of the name. <h2> Index </h2> An index is a data structure that helps speed database queries for large datasets.
Noah Davis Member
access_time 36 minutes ago
the unique student ID will determine the value of the name.

Index

An index is a data structure that helps speed database queries for large datasets.
thumb_up Like (33)
comment Reply (0)
thumb_up 33 likes
H
Database developers create an index on particular columns in a table. The index holds the column values but just pointers to the data in the rest of the table and can be searched efficiently and quickly. <h2> Key </h2> A key is a database field whose purpose is to uniquely identify a record.
Hannah Kim Member
access_time 20 minutes ago
Database developers create an index on particular columns in a table. The index holds the column values but just pointers to the data in the rest of the table and can be searched efficiently and quickly.

Key

A key is a database field whose purpose is to uniquely identify a record.
thumb_up Like (40)
comment Reply (3)
thumb_up 40 likes
comment 3 replies
A
Audrey Mueller 17 minutes ago
Keys help enforce data integrity and avoid duplication. The main types of keys used in a database ar...
A
Andrew Wilson 2 minutes ago
A table's foreign key must exist as the primary key of another table.

Normalization

T...
Show 1 more replies
D
Keys help enforce data integrity and avoid duplication. The main types of keys used in a database are: Candidate keys: The set of columns that can each uniquely identify a record and from which the primary key is chosen.Primary keys: This key uniquely identifies a record in a table. It cannot be null.Foreign keys: The key linking a record to a record in another table.
Daniel Kumar Member
access_time 55 minutes ago
Keys help enforce data integrity and avoid duplication. The main types of keys used in a database are: Candidate keys: The set of columns that can each uniquely identify a record and from which the primary key is chosen.Primary keys: This key uniquely identifies a record in a table. It cannot be null.Foreign keys: The key linking a record to a record in another table.
thumb_up Like (45)
comment Reply (3)
thumb_up 45 likes
comment 3 replies
O
Oliver Taylor 45 minutes ago
A table's foreign key must exist as the primary key of another table.

Normalization

T...
A
Alexander Wang 25 minutes ago

NoSQL

NoSQL is a database model developed to respond to the need for storing unstructured...
Show 1 more replies
E
A table&#39;s foreign key must exist as the primary key of another table. <h2> Normalization </h2> To normalize a database is to design its tables (relations) and columns (attributes) in a way to ensure data integrity and to avoid duplication. The primary levels of normalization are First Normal Form (1NF), Second Normal Form (2NF), Third Normal Form (3NF), and Boyce-Codd Normal Form (BCNF).
Elijah Patel Member
access_time 36 minutes ago
A table's foreign key must exist as the primary key of another table.

Normalization

To normalize a database is to design its tables (relations) and columns (attributes) in a way to ensure data integrity and to avoid duplication. The primary levels of normalization are First Normal Form (1NF), Second Normal Form (2NF), Third Normal Form (3NF), and Boyce-Codd Normal Form (BCNF).
thumb_up Like (12)
comment Reply (3)
thumb_up 12 likes
comment 3 replies
C
Chloe Santos 16 minutes ago

NoSQL

NoSQL is a database model developed to respond to the need for storing unstructured...
Z
Zoe Mueller 5 minutes ago
A NoSQL database schema does not use tables to store data; rather, it might use a key/value design o...
Show 1 more replies
R
<h2> NoSQL </h2> NoSQL is a database model developed to respond to the need for storing unstructured data such as emails, social media posts, video, or images. Rather than using SQL and the strict ACID model to ensure data integrity, NoSQL follows the less-strict BASE model.
Ryan Garcia Member
access_time 65 minutes ago

NoSQL

NoSQL is a database model developed to respond to the need for storing unstructured data such as emails, social media posts, video, or images. Rather than using SQL and the strict ACID model to ensure data integrity, NoSQL follows the less-strict BASE model.
thumb_up Like (16)
comment Reply (3)
thumb_up 16 likes
comment 3 replies
I
Isaac Schmidt 51 minutes ago
A NoSQL database schema does not use tables to store data; rather, it might use a key/value design o...
K
Kevin Wang 27 minutes ago
Structured Query Language uses the IS NULL and IS NOT NULL operators to test for null values.

Q...

Show 1 more replies
C
A NoSQL database schema does not use tables to store data; rather, it might use a key/value design or graphs. <h2> Null </h2> The value null is frequently confused to mean none or zero; however, it actually means unknown. If a field has a value of null, it is a placeholder for an unknown value.
Christopher Lee Member
access_time 28 minutes ago
A NoSQL database schema does not use tables to store data; rather, it might use a key/value design or graphs.

Null

The value null is frequently confused to mean none or zero; however, it actually means unknown. If a field has a value of null, it is a placeholder for an unknown value.
thumb_up Like (28)
comment Reply (3)
thumb_up 28 likes
comment 3 replies
E
Emma Wilson 25 minutes ago
Structured Query Language uses the IS NULL and IS NOT NULL operators to test for null values.

Q...

A
Aria Nguyen 10 minutes ago
A select query requests data from a database; an action query changes, updates, or adds data. Some d...
Show 1 more replies
A
Structured Query Language uses the IS NULL and IS NOT NULL operators to test for null values. <h2> Query </h2> A database query is usually written in SQL and can be either a select query or an action query.
Aria Nguyen Member
access_time 45 minutes ago
Structured Query Language uses the IS NULL and IS NOT NULL operators to test for null values.

Query

A database query is usually written in SQL and can be either a select query or an action query.
thumb_up Like (19)
comment Reply (1)
thumb_up 19 likes
comment 1 replies
L
Luna Park 21 minutes ago
A select query requests data from a database; an action query changes, updates, or adds data. Some d...
H
A select query requests data from a database; an action query changes, updates, or adds data. Some databases provide drag-and-drop forms that hide the semantics of the query, helping people to request information without having to write valid SQL. <h2> Schema </h2> A database schema is the design of tables, columns, relations, and constraints that make up a logically distinct section of a database.
Hannah Kim Member
access_time 32 minutes ago
A select query requests data from a database; an action query changes, updates, or adds data. Some databases provide drag-and-drop forms that hide the semantics of the query, helping people to request information without having to write valid SQL.

Schema

A database schema is the design of tables, columns, relations, and constraints that make up a logically distinct section of a database.
thumb_up Like (20)
comment Reply (0)
thumb_up 20 likes
A
<h2> Stored Procedure </h2> A stored procedure is a pre-compiled query or SQL statement shared across several different programs and users in a Database Management System. Stored procedures improve efficiency, help enforce data integrity, and boost productivity. <h2> Structured Query Language </h2> Structured Query Language, or SQL, is the most commonly used language to access data from a database.
Ava White Moderator
access_time 85 minutes ago

Stored Procedure

A stored procedure is a pre-compiled query or SQL statement shared across several different programs and users in a Database Management System. Stored procedures improve efficiency, help enforce data integrity, and boost productivity.

Structured Query Language

Structured Query Language, or SQL, is the most commonly used language to access data from a database.
thumb_up Like (13)
comment Reply (2)
thumb_up 13 likes
comment 2 replies
A
Audrey Mueller 21 minutes ago
SQL branches into two types of syntax. The Data Manipulation Language contains the subset of SQL com...
S
Sophia Chen 83 minutes ago
The Data Definition Language creates new database objects like indexes and tables.

Trigger

C
SQL branches into two types of syntax. The Data Manipulation Language contains the subset of SQL commands used most frequently and includes SELECT, INSERT, UPDATE and DELETE.
Christopher Lee Member
access_time 18 minutes ago
SQL branches into two types of syntax. The Data Manipulation Language contains the subset of SQL commands used most frequently and includes SELECT, INSERT, UPDATE and DELETE.
thumb_up Like (9)
comment Reply (3)
thumb_up 9 likes
comment 3 replies
A
Alexander Wang 3 minutes ago
The Data Definition Language creates new database objects like indexes and tables.

Trigger

O
Oliver Taylor 15 minutes ago
For example, a trigger might be designed to write to a log, gather statistics, or compute a value. <...
Show 1 more replies
A
The Data Definition Language creates new database objects like indexes and tables. <h2> Trigger </h2> A trigger is a stored procedure set to execute given a particular event, usually a change to a table&#39;s data.
Amelia Singh Moderator
access_time 57 minutes ago
The Data Definition Language creates new database objects like indexes and tables.

Trigger

A trigger is a stored procedure set to execute given a particular event, usually a change to a table's data.
thumb_up Like (22)
comment Reply (2)
thumb_up 22 likes
comment 2 replies
S
Sophia Chen 53 minutes ago
For example, a trigger might be designed to write to a log, gather statistics, or compute a value. <...
I
Isaac Schmidt 27 minutes ago
A materialized view is a view that looks and acts as if it were a table in its own right. Was this p...
M
For example, a trigger might be designed to write to a log, gather statistics, or compute a value. <h2> View </h2> A database view is a filtered set of data displayed to the end user in order to hide data complexity and streamline the user experience. A view can join data from two or more tables and contains a subset of information.
Madison Singh Member
access_time 20 minutes ago
For example, a trigger might be designed to write to a log, gather statistics, or compute a value.

View

A database view is a filtered set of data displayed to the end user in order to hide data complexity and streamline the user experience. A view can join data from two or more tables and contains a subset of information.
thumb_up Like (23)
comment Reply (3)
thumb_up 23 likes
comment 3 replies
E
Ella Rodriguez 4 minutes ago
A materialized view is a view that looks and acts as if it were a table in its own right. Was this p...
Z
Zoe Mueller 1 minutes ago
Thanks for letting us know! Get the Latest Tech News Delivered Every Day Subscribe Tell us why!...
Show 1 more replies
M
A materialized view is a view that looks and acts as if it were a table in its own right. Was this page helpful?
Mia Anderson Member
access_time 105 minutes ago
A materialized view is a view that looks and acts as if it were a table in its own right. Was this page helpful?
thumb_up Like (5)
comment Reply (2)
thumb_up 5 likes
comment 2 replies
S
Sophia Chen 32 minutes ago
Thanks for letting us know! Get the Latest Tech News Delivered Every Day Subscribe Tell us why!...
S
Scarlett Brown 62 minutes ago
Other Not enough details Hard to understand Submit More from Lifewire An Introduction to Databases f...
D
Thanks for letting us know! Get the Latest Tech News Delivered Every Day Subscribe Tell us why!
Daniel Kumar Member
access_time 44 minutes ago
Thanks for letting us know! Get the Latest Tech News Delivered Every Day Subscribe Tell us why!
thumb_up Like (17)
comment Reply (2)
thumb_up 17 likes
comment 2 replies
K
Kevin Wang 40 minutes ago
Other Not enough details Hard to understand Submit More from Lifewire An Introduction to Databases f...
V
Victoria Lopez 23 minutes ago
A Guide to Understanding Database Dependencies DBF File (What It Is and How to Open One) What Is Boy...
L
Other Not enough details Hard to understand Submit More from Lifewire An Introduction to Databases for Beginners The Basics of Database Normalization Full Functional Dependency in Database Normalization What Is the Definition of a Database Query? What Is the Primary Key in a Database? What Is a Database Schema?
Lily Watson Moderator
access_time 23 minutes ago
Other Not enough details Hard to understand Submit More from Lifewire An Introduction to Databases for Beginners The Basics of Database Normalization Full Functional Dependency in Database Normalization What Is the Definition of a Database Query? What Is the Primary Key in a Database? What Is a Database Schema?
thumb_up Like (45)
comment Reply (2)
thumb_up 45 likes
comment 2 replies
E
Ethan Thomas 10 minutes ago
A Guide to Understanding Database Dependencies DBF File (What It Is and How to Open One) What Is Boy...
S
Scarlett Brown 1 minutes ago
Databases What Is a Cryptographic Hash Function? Definition of Database Relation What is MySQL? Intr...
M
A Guide to Understanding Database Dependencies DBF File (What It Is and How to Open One) What Is Boyce-Codd Normal Form (BCNF)? Spreadsheets vs.
Mia Anderson Member
access_time 48 minutes ago
A Guide to Understanding Database Dependencies DBF File (What It Is and How to Open One) What Is Boyce-Codd Normal Form (BCNF)? Spreadsheets vs.
thumb_up Like (21)
comment Reply (0)
thumb_up 21 likes
L
Databases What Is a Cryptographic Hash Function? Definition of Database Relation What is MySQL? Introduction to Database Relationships DDL File (What It Is & How to Open One) What Is a Database Relationship?
Lucas Martinez Moderator
access_time 100 minutes ago
Databases What Is a Cryptographic Hash Function? Definition of Database Relation What is MySQL? Introduction to Database Relationships DDL File (What It Is & How to Open One) What Is a Database Relationship?
thumb_up Like (31)
comment Reply (0)
thumb_up 31 likes
S
Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Cookies Settings Accept All Cookies
Sebastian Silva Member
access_time 130 minutes ago
Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Cookies Settings Accept All Cookies
thumb_up Like (49)
comment Reply (0)
thumb_up 49 likes

Write a Reply

Similar Discussions