What is a relational database?

A relational database is a system that organizes data into tables, which are structured in such a way that they can be easily linked together through common fields, known as keys. This tabular structure allows for the efficient retrieval and manipulation of data using a method called Structured Query Language (SQL). Each table contains rows and columns, where rows represent individual records, and columns represent the attributes of those records.

The linking of tables through common fields fosters relationships between different datasets, which enhances the database’s ability to handle complex queries. For example, in a database for a library, one table might contain information about books, while another table could contain information about authors. By linking these tables through a common field (like Author ID), it is possible to query for information that relates to both the authors and their respective books seamlessly.

This structure contrasts sharply with more simplistic database formats, such as spreadsheets, where data may be stored in flat formats without inherent relationships to other data. Likewise, databases that rely solely on unstructured data do not adhere to a table-based format and do not utilize relationships between data points. Thus, the relational model's emphasis on structured data organized into interconnected tables is what distinguishes it as a powerful system for managing and querying complex datasets.