Relational Database

A relational database is a way to store and manage data that’s organized into tables, much like the rows and columns of a spreadsheet. Each table, which is like a grid of information, is related to the others through something common—an ID number, a name, or a date, for example. In the context of business intelligence and data analytics, relational databases are like digital filing cabinets where companies keep their data tidy, organized, and easy to find when they need to make decisions.

These databases use something called Structured Query Language (SQL) to add, remove, or edit the data they contain. SQL is like the instructions you give to fetch a file from one of those cabinets. For example, a business might ask the relational database for all sales data from the last month for a particular region, and SQL is the tool that makes this happen.

Relational databases are super important for businesses because they can handle large amounts of data that’s complex and interconnected. They make it possible for companies to quickly pull out the exact information they need—such as financial reports or customer information—so they can understand their business better and make smart, data-driven decisions.