Relational database

Relational database is a type of database in which data is organized into tables, and these tables are linked based on data common to each table. This structure allows flexible, complex queries to be performed on many tables simultaneously.

Relational Database Structure
A relational database consists of several key components:

• tables. These are the building blocks of a relational database. Each table contains data about a specific object, such as customers or products;
• fields. These are different categories of data in each table, such as “name” or “email”;
• records. These are individual records in a table. Each record includes a unique key, known as a primary key, that identifies that record;
• relationships. These are relationships between tables established using shared data known as foreign keys.

Relational and non-relational databases: a comparative study
While relational databases organize data into tables, non-relational databases, also known as NoSQL databases, do not rely on a table structure and use a variety of data models including document, graph, key-value and wide column.

Relational databases are best suited for handling structured data and complex queries. Non-relational databases are better suited for processing large amounts of diverse, rapidly changing data.

Relational Database Mechanism

Relational databases work based on the principles of the relational model proposed by E. F. Codd in 1970. This model is based on mathematical set theory and uses Structured Query Language (SQL) to query and maintain the database..

The Impact of Relational Databases on Business
Relational databases have a huge impact on business. They provide a highly efficient, flexible and secure system for storing and retrieving data. They support ACID properties (atomicity, consistency, isolation, durability), ensuring transaction reliability. They also offer robust security features including access control, views, and backup.

The leading relational database systems
There are several relational database management systems (RDBMS) available today. Some of the most popular include:

• Oracle database. Known for its feature-rich platform and scalability;
• MySQL. Popular due to its ease of use and open source;
• MySQL
• Microsoft SQL Server. Recommended for its deep integration with other Microsoft products;
• PostgreSQL. Appreciated for its SQL standards compliance and extensibility.