28.1. Introduction^[1]

^[1] Before using this chapter, please review the Before You Begin section of the book.

A database is an organized collection of data. There are many different strategies for organizing data to facilitate easy access and manipulation. A database management system (DBMS) provides mechanisms for storing, organizing, retrieving and modifying data for many users. Database management systems allow for the access and storage of data without concern for the internal representation of data.

Today’s most popular database systems are relational databases (Section 28.2). A language called SQL—pronounced “sequel,” or as its individual letters—is the international standard language used almost universally with relational databases to perform queries (i.e., to request information that satisfies given criteria) and to manipulate data. [Note: As you learn about SQL, you’ll see some authors writing “a SQL statement” (which assumes the pronunciation “sequel”) and others writing “an SQL statement” (which assumes that the individual letters are pronounced). In this book we pronounce SQL as “sequel.”]