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Glossary

Database 

A database can be defined as a collection of 

related information. The information held in the database 

is stored in an organised way so that specific items can be 

selected and retrieved quickly. See Database management 

system.

Database management system (DBMS) 

The 

information held in an electronic database is accessed via 

a database management system. A DBMS can be defined 

as one or more computer programs that allow users to 

enter, store, organise, manipulate and retrieve data from a 

database. For many users, the terms database and database 

management system are interchangeable. A relational 

database management system (RDBMS) is an extension  

of a DBMS and allows data to be combined from a variety 

of sources.

Database table 

Each database comprises several  

tables.