Understanding Databases

In its most basic form, a database is the computer equivalent of an organized list of information. Typically, this information has a common subject or purpose, such as the list of employees shown here:

ID	Last name	First name	Title	Hire date
1	Dale	Martha	Sales Rep	May 1, 1992
2	Fuller	Joanna	V.P., Sales	Aug 14, 1992
3	Lee	Mark	Sales Rep	Apr 1, 1992
4	Penn	Daniel	Sales Rep	May 3, 1993