CST363 Week 1

1. Relational database tables and spreadsheets look similar with both having rows and columns.  What are some important differences between the two?
 
Relational databases and spreadsheets might look similar because they both have rows and columns, but they are quite different in how they manage data. Databases can handle lots of data and keep it organized using rules like unique IDs and links between different tables. They’re built to deal with many users working at the same time and can keep track of complex relationships between data. Spreadsheets are great for smaller tasks and simpler data, but they can get messy with a lot of information and don’t handle multiple users very well. They also don’t have the same level of data protection or advanced searching features that databases offer.
 
2. Installing and configuration a database and learning how to use it is more complicated that just reading and writing data to a file.  What are some important reasons that makes a database a useful investment of time?  
 
Databases are worth the investment because they provide a lot more than just storing data. They make sure the data stays accurate and consistent with built-in rules and checks. They can handle a huge amount of information and let many people access and work with the data at once. Databases also offer strong security features to keep data safe and can quickly search through large amounts of data. They help automate many tasks and can be set up to back up data automatically, which helps avoid losing important information.
 
3. What do you want to learn in this course that you think will be useful in your future career? 
 
In a database course, you’ll pick up skills that are really useful in many jobs. Learning SQL lets you ask databases to give you the data you need, and understanding how to design databases helps you set them up properly. Knowing how to make databases run faster and keep data safe is also important. You’ll get experience with managing and integrating databases, which is helpful for working in tech, business, and other fields. Overall, these skills make you a strong candidate for a variety of jobs that involve handling and analyzing data. 
 

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