Re: What is a database?

> On Sunday, 1 December 2013 04:51:50 UTC+11, Eric wrote:
>
> No, seriously, what is your short, accurate definition of the word
> "database" (in, but not necessarily restricted to, a computer context)?

An ordered, structured collection of data.

Notes:

- Ordering and structuring is achieved via correct and formal Normalisation
- Normalisation eliminates duplicates, therefore "unduplicated" need not be stated, but add that term if necessary
- Ordering and structuring produces *Integration*, so that need not be stated, but add that term if necessary
- The definition must exclude any application dependency (by virtue of Codd's definition to that effect).  It is a data-base, not an application storage facility.  Database=application may be common, but it is dead wrong.
- Card filing systems; binders; spreadsheets qualify, as long *as they are ordered and structured*
- 95% of the data storage implementations out there do not qualify, because they are unordered and unstructured; formal or correct Normalisation is absent.  

Cheers
Derek Received on Tue Feb 25 2014 - 11:33:32 CET