Database Basics›Core· 30 min read
What is a Relational Database?
Tables, rows and columns — the organised, permanent home for your app’s data.
What you will learn
- Explain what a database is
- Understand tables, rows and columns
- Know what SQL is for
Data in tables
A relational database stores data in tables — like spreadsheets. Each column is a field (name, email), and each row is one record. SQL (Structured Query Language) is how you create, read and change that data.
| id | name | age | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Asha | asha@x.com | 22 |
| 2 | Ravi | ravi@x.com | 25 |
| 3 | Meera | meera@x.com | 23 |
Above is a users table: 4 columns, 3 rows. MySQL is one of the most popular relational databases — free, fast and used everywhere (including with PHP and Laravel).
Note: NoSQL databases like MongoDB store flexible documents; relational databases like MySQL store structured tables with fixed columns and strong relationships. Both are widely used — you are learning the relational side here.
Q. In a database table, what is a single record called?
Answer: A row is one record. Columns are the fields (name, email); SQL is the query language.
✍️ Practice
- Sketch a
productstable with sensible columns. - Identify the columns and rows in any spreadsheet you have.
🏠 Homework
- Design tables for a library app (books, members) on paper.