Relational databases, how do they work and how are they structured?
6 February 2023
Head of Marketing and Communication
In the business world and also in our daily lives we have a multitude of information that is assimilated and stored on a daily basis. Relational databases aim to facilitate this process for developers and application owners.
With the advent of the network of networks, the collection and processing of data has data transfer has gone on to multiply and it is more common to talk about how and where it is possible to store all the information.
Nowadays, handling the different types of databases that exist is fundamental for anyone who wants to work as a software developer. In this article we will talk about relational databases, which are among the most widely used in the world of web development.
In short, relational databases are structured on the basis of data that are classified in tables, which are related to each other. It is based on the relational model, where each of the rows of a table has a record and in each table there is an element that is responsible for distinguishing the table from the others.
The relational model is an improvement on the structured databases. Consequently, what you are allowing is to provide access with more fluidity of informationThis results in better data processing performance.
Although they have both supporters and detractors, the truth is that relational databases can be very useful in different contexts. Here are the 4 key points that we have found most interesting about these tools.
As indicated above, these databases allow us to maintain a improved organisation of information. This ease of use is one of its strong points, since the information is organised in a hierarchical way, which facilitates its subsequent manipulation.
This can be important if we have a large database, where the use of data control can be essential to carry out certain operations more quickly. Thus, in large applications, the use of this technology can be essential to obtain the desired results.
Although the size and complexity of the data is a determining factor in assessing how quickly we can find what we are looking for, in general, relational databases offer very fast access to content. This is achieved through the joint use of several tables. Thus, if a table contains data we are interested in, we can access it much faster.
Compared to the non-relational databases like MongoDB, this advantage can be more than noticeable.
Relational databases can also be a great advantage when it comes to making changes to the information stored in them. These tools allow us to handle data quickly and efficientlyThe only elements we can alter are those we need to.
When working with relational databases, changing data is an intuitive process that is carried out in a simple and time-saving way when we need to make changes to the data.
For example, if we use MySQLWe only have to write a few lines of SQL code to make the desired changes. And by having separate tables, changes will not affect the rest of the information.
In addition, the separation between tables also provides a plus in security, since if there is a problem with one table it will not have repercussions on the rest of the information. This means that the data will be more protected if there are failures, and situations in which the information is compromised are avoided.
Finally, relational databases tend to be considered more stable and secure than their non-relational counterparts. This is due to the way the tables are organised, each with its own data. This makes it much more difficult for there to be malicious malfunctions or manipulations.
Although it is not mandatory for a web developer If you are proficient in relational databases, it is recommended that you know at least the basics. This will help you to have a better understanding of how these tools work and how to use them correctly. In addition, it will allow you to make quick modifications to the stored information and to optimise its handling more efficiently.
This is especially true for those who want to specialising in the development of Back End, one of the fields where knowledge of databases is really important.
In short, although it is not mandatory for a web developer to master relational databases, it will be very useful if you want to optimise data management in your projects. For this reason, it is advisable to learn about these tools to make the most of their potential.
At IMMUNE Technology Institute We know how important it is for a web developer to master relational databases, so part of our training programme is focused on the use of these tools.
Our Bootcamp Programming and Web Development Full Stack Developer has several weeks where students will learn everything they need to know about relational databases, such as database design and manipulation, SQL queries, etc.
Find out about our classes to improve your skills with relational databases and learn how to work with these tools! Get ready for tomorrow, which is already today.
If you are looking for technology training fill in the form for more information.