SQL All-in-One For Dummies, 4th Edition

Chapter 1

Understanding Relational Databases

IN THIS CHAPTER

Working with data files and databases

Seeing how databases, queries, and database applications fit together

Looking at different database models

Charting the rise of relational databases

SQL (pronounced ess cue el, but you’ll hear some people say see quel) is the international standard language used in conjunction with relational databases — and it just so happens that relational databases are the dominant form of data storage throughout the world. In order to understand why relational databases are the primary repositories for the data of both small and large organizations, you must first understand the various ways in which computer data can be stored and how those storage methods relate to the relational database model. To help you gain that understanding, I spend a good portion of this chapter going back to the earliest days of electronic computers and recapping the history of data storage.

I realize that grand historical overviews aren’t everybody’s cup of tea, but I’d argue that it’s important to see that the different ...