Everything You Need to Know About Relational Database (RDB) and Management Systems (RDBMS)

Have you ever wondered how your favorite online store remembers your preferences or how your music streaming app suggests new titles you end up falling in love with?

How do large enterprises manage vast amounts of data with precision and efficiency?

The answer lies in relational databases. They quietly power many of the digital experiences we enjoy daily. So let's take a peek under the hood and discover how RDBs & RDBMS work and how it benefits your business.

Warning!

This article is a bit technical. You may not get the whole gist in 1 read—especially if you skim through it.

Consider bookmarking it, that way you can always come refer to it when you need to.

Without further ado, let’s dive right in.

What is Relational Database?

Imagine a vast library filled with books, each containing various chapters and pages (tables and rows). Instead of chaotic stacks, the books are meticulously organized with clear labels and cross-references (relationships). 

Relational database works in a similar manner. It is simply a platform (mostly cloud-based) where information is stored in interconnected tables, making it readily accessible, understandable and easily usable.

What is Relational Database Management System?

Here’s a quick analogy to simplify this;

Imagine you have a giant filing cabinet filled with folders (tables) containing different types of information (like customers, orders, products). Each folder has dividers (columns) holding specific details (e.g., customer name, address, order date, product category). The folders are linked by paperclips (relationships) based on common information, like a customer ID appearing in both the customer folder and the order folder.

A Relational Database Management System (RDBMS) works the same way. It helps you:

• Organize: Keep your information neat and tidy, making it easy to find what you need.
• Inter-connect: You can easily link related information quickly. For instance, finding all orders placed by a specific customer.
• Access: You can retrieve information easily using a special language (Structured Query Language – SQL). It’s as easy as asking your assistant, "Show me all orders over $100 from California."
• Protect: A great RDBMS gives you the ability to secure your information; a popular feature is having locks on your folders.

An RDBMS helps you manage your information efficiently and securely, similar to how a well-organized filing cabinet would!

Key Technical Features of a Well-structured RDBMS

A well-built Relational Database Management System must have the following features. Without all of them, a database isn’t relational and cannot fulfil its function. More on relational & non-relational databases later.

A well-structured RDBMS must include the following features:

1. Tables:

Think spreadsheets on steroids. Imagine information neatly organized in rows and columns like a spreadsheet - that's a table. Each row (record) holds details about a specific entity (customer, product, etc.), while columns (attributes) represent different characteristics.

2. Relationships:

Now, Imagine tables as separate islands of information. Relationships (in the form of bridges) connect them based on shared attributes—allowing you to seamlessly access related data, like finding all orders placed by a specific customer across different tables.

3. Primary Keys:

Every house in a city needs a unique address; similarly, each row in a table needs a unique identifier called a ‘primary key’. This could be a customer ID number, a product code, or any other attribute that ensures no two entries are identical. This uniqueness is important for maintaining data accuracy and preventing confusion.

4. Foreign Keys: Passports to Other Tables:

Imagine travelling to a different city using your passport. In relational databases, foreign keys act like passports, referencing the primary key of another table.

For instance, an "order ID" in the "order details" table might reference the "order ID" in the "orders" table, creating a link between specific order details and the overall order information. This allows you to seamlessly navigate between related data points.

5. SQL: The Database Conversationalist:

While tables, relationships, and keys provide the structure, you still need a way to interact with this data city. That’s where the SQL (Structured Query Language) comes in.

It acts as your translator when talking to the database. Think of it as learning a new language specific to the database world. With SQL commands, you can ask questions, retrieve information, and even manipulate data.

Benefits of relational databases

The main benefit of the relational database model is its simple data representation and convenient access to linked data elements. As a result, relational databases are mostly used by businesses that handle substantial volumes of structured data, for purposes such as application logging, transaction processing, and inventory monitoring.

Other advantages of using relational databases to manage and store your data include:

• Flexibility

It’s easy to add, update, or delete tables, relationships, and make other changes to data whenever you need without much tinkering, or even changing the overall structure of the database, or influencing existing applications.

• ACID compliance

Relational databases support ACID (Atomicity, Consistency, Isolation, Durability) performance to ensure data validity regardless of errors, failures, or other potential mishaps.

Here’s a detailed explanation of what ACID means:

1. Atomicity defines all the elements that make up a complete database transaction.
2. Consistency defines the rules for maintaining data points correctly after a transaction.
3. Isolation keeps the effect of a transaction invisible to others until it is committed, to avoid confusion.
4. Durability ensures that data changes become permanent once a transaction is committed.

• Ease of use

Running complex queries is easy using SQL, which means even non-technical users can learn how to interact with the database.

• Collaboration

Multiple people can operate and access data simultaneously. Built-in locking prevents simultaneous access when data is being updated. 

• Built-in security

A role-based security system ensures data access is limited to specific users.

• Database normalization

Relational databases employ a design technique known as normalization that reduces data redundancy and improves data integrity. 

Examples of Relational Databases:

1. MySQL: Open-source and widely used for diverse applications.
2. PostgreSQL: Another open-source RDBMS offering advanced features.
3. Microsoft SQL Server: Popular Windows-based system for enterprise needs.
4. Oracle Database: Robust and scalable solution for high-performance workloads.
5. Cloud-based options like Cloud SQL and AlloyDB provide convenient management and scalability.

InfoLobby offers a physical SQL table which translates to speed and independent performance for your workflows

Relational vs. Non-Relational Databases

The primary difference between relational and non-relational databases (NoSQL databases) is how data is stored and organized. Non-relational databases do not store data in a rule-based, tabular format. Instead, they store data as single, disconnected files, used for complex, unstructured data types, such as documents or rich media files.

Unlike relational databases, NoSQL databases provide a flexible data model, which makes them perfect for applications that handle a variety of data types or for storing data that changes regularly.

The Future: Self-Driving Databases

Emerging technologies like AI and machine learning are revolutionizing RDBMS with self-driving databases. These intelligent systems automate tedious tasks like performance optimization and security management, freeing developers to focus on innovation.

Conclusion

Relational databases have stood the test of time due to their flexibility, reliability, and ability to manage structured data effectively. With ongoing advancements, a self-driving database is the next step in further simplifying and optimising data management.

If you’re looking for a tool that gives you full control of your database, giving you the flexibility to use relevant data to make industry-breaking decisions in your company, without breaking the bank, check out InfoLobby’s product offering.