what is a database

A database is an organized collection of data that is stored and accessed electronically through the use of a database management system (DBMS) . A database can be as simple as a grocery list on a piece of paper or as complex as a large computer system that stores and manages vast amounts of structured and unstructured data. The DBMS provides various functions that allow entry, storage, and retrieval of large quantities of information and provides ways to manage how that information is organized. Databases are used to support internal operations of organizations and to underpin online interactions with customers and suppliers. They are used in a variety of settings, including business, scientific, and government organizations. Some examples of how databases are used include storing customer information in a customer relationship management (CRM) system, storing financial transactions in an accounting system, storing inventory and orders in an e-commerce system, storing patient records in a healthcare system, and storing student records in an educational institution. Databases can be relational or non-relational, and they can be hosted on a file system or on computer clusters.