Key facts

  • In 1970, E. F. Codd of IBM published the relational model, which organised data as relations and became the theoretical base of relational databases.
  • In 1974, IBM researchers Donald D. Chamberlin and Raymond F. Boyce described SEQUEL, the query language that later became SQL.
  • In 1979, Relational Software, Inc., now Oracle, introduced the first commercially available implementation of SQL, helping relational database systems...
  • In 1986, SQL became an ANSI standard, making Structured Query Language the common language for relational database definition and querying.
  • In 1992, SQL-92 expanded and clarified the SQL standard, and many basic SQL commands taught today still follow its core pattern.

Key Points at a Glance

  1. 1

    In 1970, E. F. Codd of IBM published the relational model, which organised data as relations and became the theoretical base of relational databases.

  2. 2

    In 1974, IBM researchers Donald D. Chamberlin and Raymond F. Boyce described SEQUEL, the query language that later became SQL.

  3. 3

    In 1979, Relational Software, Inc., now Oracle, introduced the first commercially available implementation of SQL, helping relational database systems move from research to business use.

  4. 4

    In 1986, SQL became an ANSI standard, making Structured Query Language the common language for relational database definition and querying.

  5. 5

    In 1992, SQL-92 expanded and clarified the SQL standard, and many basic SQL commands taught today still follow its core pattern.

  6. 6

    In 1995, the first version of MySQL was released, and it later became widely used for web applications.

  7. 7

    In 1996, Postgres95 was renamed PostgreSQL to reflect its SQL capability and its link with the original Postgres project.

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Data, information and database need

Data means raw facts, symbols or observations. A roll number, name, date of birth, mark, subject code, mobile number or fee amount is data when it is simply recorded. Information is processed data that has meaning for a user. A list of marks becomes information when it shows passed candidates, average marks, highest score or district-wise attendance. The same data item may be useful or useless depending on context, accuracy and arrangement.

Computer systems need databases because real work involves repeated storage, search, correction and reporting. A school, coaching centre, recruitment board, hospital or bank cannot depend on loose files when records are large and regularly updated. A database keeps related data together in an organised form so that users can retrieve it quickly and consistently. In a Rajasthan recruitment-office example, candidate details, exam centres, admit-card records and marks must remain linked without repeatedly typing the same information in separate files.

A database is not just a large file. It is a structured collection of related data designed for access, management and update. A simple marks register in a spreadsheet may behave like a small data table, but a formal database adds stronger control over relationships, data types, security, concurrency and recovery.

Exam focus: data is raw fact, information is meaningful processed data, and a database is an organised collection of related data.

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