What is a Database Server?

Hey Dev, welcome to this article about database servers! In this article, we will discuss what a database server is, how it works and the different types of database servers.

What is a database server?

A database server is a computer program that provides database services to other computer programs or computers. It is a crucial component of the client-server model in which clients access and modify data stored on a server. Essentially, a database server is a specialized computer program that stores and retrieves data requested by other computers.

Database servers are typically used in scenarios where there is a need for multiple users to access and manipulate data simultaneously. These servers provide a centralized location for storing and managing data, making it easier for users to access and manipulate data.

How does a database server work?

A database server works by providing a way for multiple users to access and manipulate data stored on the server. When a user requests data, the server retrieves the data from the database and sends it to the user. Similarly, when a user wants to update data, the server receives the update request, and after validating it, updates the database.

Database servers use structured query language (SQL) to access and manipulate data. SQL is a programming language used to manage and manipulate relational databases. SQL allows users to insert, delete, update and query data stored in the database.

Types of database servers

Database servers can be broadly classified into two categories based on the type of database they manage. These are:

Type of Database Server	Description
Relational database server	Manages data stored in a relational database.
NoSQL database server	Manages data stored in a non-relational database.

Relational database server

A relational database is a type of database that stores data in tables, with each table representing an entity, such as a person or a product. Relational database servers manage data stored in these tables, providing a way for users to access and manipulate the data.

How does a relational database server work?

A relational database server works by storing data in tables, with each table containing rows and columns. Each row represents an entity, and each column represents a specific attribute of the entity.

For example, suppose we have a table called “employees” that contains information about employees in a company. The table might contain columns such as “employee ID,” “employee name,” “employee department,” and “employee salary.” Each row in the table represents an individual employee, with the columns containing specific information about each employee.

Relational database servers use SQL to access and manipulate data stored in tables. SQL allows users to create, read, update, and delete data stored in the database.

FAQs about relational database servers

What are the advantages of using a relational database server?

Relational database servers provide several advantages over other types of database servers. Some of these advantages include:

• Support for transactions
• Data consistency and integrity
• Scalability
• Flexibility

What are some popular relational database servers?

There are many popular relational database servers, some of which include:

• Oracle Database
• MySQL
• Microsoft SQL Server
• PostgreSQL

NoSQL database server

NoSQL databases are databases that store data in a non-tabular format. They are designed to handle large amounts of unstructured data and are ideal for applications that require high scalability and performance.

How does a NoSQL database server work?

NoSQL database servers work by storing data in a variety of formats, such as key-value pairs, document-oriented data, and graph databases. Unlike relational databases, NoSQL databases do not use SQL to access and manipulate data. Instead, they use application programming interfaces (APIs) to perform operations on the data.

NoSQL databases are used in applications that require high scalability and performance, such as social media platforms, e-commerce websites, and big data analytics.

FAQs about NoSQL database servers

What are the advantages of using a NoSQL database server?

NoSQL database servers provide several advantages over relational database servers. Some of these advantages include:

• Ability to handle large amounts of unstructured data
• High scalability and performance
• Flexibility

What are some popular NoSQL database servers?

There are many popular NoSQL database servers, some of which include:

• MongoDB
• Cassandra
• Redis
• Amazon DynamoDB

Conclusion

In conclusion, a database server is a computer program that provides database services to other computer programs or computers. There are two main types of database servers: relational and NoSQL. Relational database servers manage data stored in tables, while NoSQL database servers manage data stored in a non-tabular format. Both types of database servers have their advantages and are used in a variety of applications.