Databases

by Keith Sacco

Students taking up the databases get to learn various aspects of how data is stored in the computer systems, how to sort this data, manage it and retrieve it. The course also investigates aspects of data, and how this can be stored in a way that does not take up a lot of space, stores the essential info, allows retrieval in an efficient and fast manner. It is very common that students ask (1) why are databases so important in the business and workplace today? and (2) what would I benefit as a student from studying and getting to know databases? The answer two these two fundamental questions is very simple. Databases today are the basis of storage for information of businesses. All businesses use some sort of database daily to store information to be retrieved for later use. Be it gaming, manufacturing, social media, or any other sector; all have a database in some form or other in the back end. This also means that with a database in the back-end of the whole operation – there is the need for experienced and knowledgeable people to manage these databases and data stored within, ensure databases systems are running efficiently and available at all times; and if necessary database-skilled persons also get involved in writing the necessary queries to extract data efficiently.   The database student should not only see databases as a curricular or academic subject but rather as the basis for roles highly in demand in the working world. Nowadays a database skilled person can take up jobs such as Database Administrators, Database Programmers, Database Architects/Engineer, Database Designer or Modeler, or even Data Scientists.