Introduction
The world produced 120 zettabytes of data in 2023, which is roughly 130.9 quadrillion gigabytes. This data details everything we do — streaming platforms, online banking, shopping, accessing healthcare services, travel and hotel bookings, online education, and more. Databases form the backbone of modern information systems that keep various services up and running. In this blog, we will look at 12 database examples in real life to understand how databases streamline processes and help us organize our everyday lives.
What is a Database?
A database is a systematic collection of large volumes of data stored in a way that is easily accessible. The main purpose of database systems is to store related information together so that it can be easily retrieved, managed, and updated. Databases consist of five main components. The hardware, or the physical electronic devices, act as an interface between computers and real-world systems. The software consists of programs that manage database management systems (DBMS). Next comes that data, which is the information gathered, stored, accessed, and processed by a DBMS. Then comes the procedure, which implies the set of instructions and rules used to design and run the databases. Finally, we have the database access languages that help us access the databases and export data. Additionally, data integrity, performance optimization, concurrency control, security, backup, and recovery are the characteristics of a database.
Must read: WHAT ARE THE VARIOUS TYPES OF DATABASES?
12 Database Examples in Real Life
Personal Cloud Storage
Many cloud solution vendors have the technical expertise to handle the large–scale cloud demands for personal cloud storage. We store photos, videos, and documents on database management systems such as Dropbox, Google Drive, and iCloud. The data models for personal storage services are designed to manage large volumes of data. Personal cloud storage services store files securely and ensure that users can access them through synchronized devices, such as smartphones, tablets, and computers.
Social Media
Billions of users access different social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn. Databases track and analyze user behavior, which offers personalized user experience and drives engagement. User profile details, friend suggestions, content recommendations, targeted ads, user engagement, and user behavior are aspects managed by databases.
Education
Relational databases help schools and other educational institutions manage their records. For instance, a student database management system helps schools monitor student performance and progress, test scores, teacher information and more. Online learning platforms such as Coursera, LinkedIn Learning, and edX manage and distribute educational content through databases. Learners can access educational resources seamlessly and enjoy individualized learning experiences.
Healthcare
Today, healthcare information systems are heavily dependent on databases to manage the vast data about patients. Healthcare service providers may use NoSQL, Cloud, and custom database management systems to take care of their mission-critical requirements. For example, the Electronic Health Records (EHR) maintained by hospitals and diagnostic centers use databases to store patient information, medical history, treatment plans, medications, and diagnostic test results, which are the attributes of databases. Moreover, databases allow users to update their records in real–time. In addition, the data stored in the databases also helps doctors in clinical decision-making processes.
Human Resource Management
Organizations around the world today use employee database management software to organize and manage all the employee data from a single point. Human Resource Management Systems (HRMS) rely extensively on cloud-based, noSQL, relational and hybrid databases to streamline HR processes. By using DBMS options, HR can effectively manage recruitment, onboarding, and appraisals. Additionally, HRMS databases also help teams with attendance tracking, leave management, and payroll processing.
Also Read: DIFFERENCE BETWEEN SQL VS. NOSQL DATABASE
Aviation Industry
The Aviation Industry is said to be one of the earliest examples of database management systems. For instance, NASA’s Aviation Safety Reporting System (ASRS) is the world’s biggest database of confidential information on aviation’s frontline personnel. Databases help airlines store and manage large volumes of data about flights, customers, and operations. These databases also help customers with booking history, flight schedules, seat availability, and ticketing information. Airline companies also manage upgrades, seat assignments, transactions, and customer service through different types of databases, such as Oracle Database, IBM DB2, and PostgreSQL.
eCommerce
The amount of data generated by eCommerce websites is huge, and all this data is stored, retrieved, managed, and analyzed through MySQL and other types of databases. The simplest example of databases in eCommerce is an online shopping platform like Amazon using databases to manage your online shopping details. Product information, product descriptions, product images, addresses, order history, user profiles, and payment information are all stored securely in databases. eCommerce platforms also rely heavily on database management systems for order management, tracking, and generating reports for business analysis.
Hospitality Industry
Without databases, it would be impossible for hotels today to manage the large volume of information they access while doing business. Hotel booking systems use databases so that their business can run efficiently and offer consistent customer satisfaction at every level. This includes managing reservations, guest data, inventory tariffs, and more. Databases connected to hotel management systems offer personalized experiences to guests, which include services like expedited check-in procedures. Hotels use relational databases and NoSQL databases, among others, to ensure efficient operations. These databases also easily integrate with other systems, such as payment gateways, ensuring accurate financial transactions.
Must Read: TOP 12 OPEN SOURCE BIG DATA DATABASES
Online Streaming
We consume a vast library of content from online video and audio streaming platforms. For instance, your curated playlist on Spotify, your watchlist on Netflix, Disney+ and Amazon Prime Video, and even the podcasts you like to listen to are all managed by the platforms through databases. Online streaming services benefit a great deal from content cataloging done by databases. It also helps users easily search for and discover content based on their preferred genres, viewing history, and watchlists. Databases also optimize user experience by storing information about streaming quality and device compatibility.
Finance Sector
Financial institutions use databases to ensure the accuracy, security, and efficiency of financial operations. Graphical databases help financial institutions detect fraud. For instance, Amazon Neptune identifies a fraudulent pattern using its graphical database to identify relationships between data points. Databases also help banks process customer deposits, withdrawals, and transfers accurately. Apart from this, databases also help in market analysis as they store and analyze stock prices, exchange rates, and commodity prices. Additionally, eCommerce databases use financial databases to manage online transactions and store customer payment information.
Online Gaming
Cloud gaming has been dubbed as the future of gaming by experts. In cloud gaming, the game is hosted in data centers on remote servers. Online and social gaming use databases to track a player’s progress, level progression, social interactions between players, inventory management, and more. Many online games also use databases to process game purchases and transactions securely. Databases also collect and analyze data about player behavior to create a more engaging gaming experience.
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Weather Forecast
Database management systems help weather forecasting services by storing, integrating, analyzing, and disseminating meteorological data. Real-time observational data, radar imagery, and satellite observations are stored and analyzed in databases. This data is used to predict the weather and provide situational awareness, issue timely warnings, and support emergency response efforts. This helps government agencies, emergency managers, and industries in making decisions and driving public safety efforts.
The Future of Data Management with Databases
The role of databases in real life continues to evolve, shaping the landscape of various industries and sectors. Advancements in technology are making databases more sophisticated, scalable, and efficient. From personal cloud storage to healthcare, education, social media, and finance, databases are the foundation of critical systems and processes, driving innovation and transformation. As data volumes grow exponentially and new technologies like artificial intelligence and machine learning emerge, databases will continue to play a central role in storing, analyzing, and deriving insights from vast datasets. If you are a developer experienced in database management and looking for limitless career growth, sign up with Olibr to learn more!
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FAQs
A relational database organizes data in tables. A non-relational database stores data in a document format.
MySQL, Microsoft SQL Server, Oracle Database, PostgreSQL, MongoDB and Apache Cassandra are some popular databases for web applications.
It is a non-relational document database with a flexible data model. It provides support for JSON-like storage and allows you to store unstructured data.
There are many free SQL databases. MySQL, Microsoft SQL Server, and MongoDB are some free database software.
Some of the disadvantages of database management systems are the high cost of hardware and software, dependencies on additional technology, and the fact that whenever the file grows larger, the query speed slows down and increases downtime.
The advantages of a database management system are better data integration, faster data access, reduced data redundancy, high scalability, and performance optimization.
It is a collection of fields that represent a single entity in the form of a column or row.
