What is Relational Database?
A Relational Database is a form of database that stores and provides access to data points related to each other. They are organized as a set of formally described tables, facilitating data access, management, and analytics.
History
Relational Database Management System (RDBMS) was first created and developed by E.F. Codd at IBM in 1970. Since then, it has evolved with various versions like Oracle SQL, SQL Server, and MySQL becoming prominent in industries
Functionality and Features
Relational Databases provide data accessibility using Structured Query Language (SQL), data integrity rules, and transactional abilities. They support multiple data views and share a common schema across tables.
Architecture
Relational Databases primarily consist of 3 components: the database engine, which performs queries and manipulates the data; the database schema, defining the logical structure of the database; and the query processor, which interprets and executes SQL commands.
Benefits and Use Cases
Relational Databases offer advantages such as high data security, superior flexibility, and strong support for transactional operations. They find application in banking, human resources, logistics, and more.
Challenges and Limitations
Relational Databases might not be suitable for handling unstructured data and can suffer from performance issues with larger databases. They also have complexity and scalability issues.
Integration with Data Lakehouse
In a data lakehouse environment, Relational Databases operate as structured repositories feeding the data lake. They help maintain data quality and consistency, while the data lakehouse supports handling varied data formats at a larger scale.
Security Aspects
Relational Databases come with security features such as authentication, encryption, and backup recovery facilities, to safe-keep business data.
Performance
The performance of Relational Databases is largely dependent on factors such as database schema, SQL query design, indexing, and hardware capabilities.
FAQs
What is a Relational Database? It's a database model that organizes data into multiple tables with relationships based on common attributes.
How does Relational Database work in a data lakehouse environment? It operates as the structured data source feeding the data lake, aiding in maintaining data quality and consistency.
What are the limitations of a Relational Database? Handling unstructured data, scalability, and complexity in managing large databases are some known limitations.
Are Relational Databases secure? Yes, they come with security features like authentication, encryption, and backup recovery features.
What factors affect the performance of a Relational Database? Database schema, SQL query design, indexing, and hardware capabilities are key performance-impacting factors.
Glossary
Database Schema: It defines the blueprint or logical structure of a database.
Data Lakehouse: It is a hybrid data management paradigm that combines the best features of data warehouses and data lakes.
Data Integrity: It refers to the accuracy, consistency, and reliability of data stored in a database.
Unstructured Data: Information that does not conform to a pre-defined data model and is not easily searchable, such as text and multimedia content.
Transactional Operations: A sequence of operations performed as a single unit of work to ensure data consistency.
