Databases are where all your data is stored. But they are not just haphazard digital filing cabinets. They provide a consistent, organized structure for storing and retrieving large amounts of data.
There are two basic types of databases: SQL and NoSQL.
SQL databases use structured query language (SQL) to define and manage data. SQL is the language that the coder uses to interact with the database to manage the data stored in it.
Because all SQL databases use the same language, you must use predefined schemas to define your data structure. Your data must also have the same structure, which may require some prior preparation.
NoSQL databases do not use structured query language (hence the name), so you can store data in different ways. This means that you can store data without first defining its structure.
In addition, a NoSQL database allows all your stored data to have its own unique structure, not defined by the database structure itself.
Here are some examples of popular databases:
MySQL: an open-source SQL database. MySQL is used on WordPress sites.
MongoDB: an open source NoSQL database.
Oracle Database: it is a proprietary database management system. It is commonly used to handle online transactions, data warehouses, and mixed database workloads.
A working knowledge of web development technology, allows business owners and marketers to become more involved in the development process. They probably don’t need to memorize any of the above, but keeping this article handy will give you some of the technical information you need to make effective project decisions.