Databases 1

More and more databases are now electronic because they are easier to use and take up less space.

Electronic databases are used by many businesses, for example:

• by supermarkets, so that they know what items are in stock
• by banks, so that they know how much money their customers have
• by schools, so that they know which pupils are absent.

You need a computer and a database application to create an electronic database. A database application is a program which organises any data entered into the computer.

The computer user enters into the computer the data that he or she wants to keep, for example, a club membership list or all the people in a class.

The database application arranges the data into a table.