Higher Education · Databases
Relational Databases
What is it
A relational database organises data into tables of rows and columns linked together by keys, based on the relational model — undergraduate study covers the theory behind this model, including relational algebra and the formal principles that guide how tables should be structured and related.
Why it matters
The relational model has been the dominant way of organising structured data for decades, underpinning virtually every major database system used in banking, healthcare, retail and government — understanding the theory behind it explains why relational databases are structured the way they are, not just how to use them.
Exam tip
When designing a relational schema, always start by identifying the entities and their relationships before deciding on table structure — jumping straight to tables without this conceptual step is the most common cause of poorly designed schemas that need reworking later.
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