I’ve run into a couple of people recently who don’t know what a database is, or what it does. I find it really hard to explain databases using completely non-technical terms.
How would you explain a database to someone who is not all that comfortable with computers? Have you got a real-life analogy that works well?
You’re currently reading “Explain it: Database,” an entry on Industry Interactive Inc.
Michael Warf
03.18.08 / 8am
I don’t have a reference for databases in particular Jon, but when I taught at GMCC I had to explain foundational coding concepts to people who’s primary background was visual design.
I would describe variables as temporary “holes in your garden” where you could temporarily store items for later retrieval. Datatypes became the signposts on the row “carrots, peas, corn” - people seemed to get it (although I’m a whiteboard maniac - so my explanation would be 50% visual)
I would describe indexed arrays as “filing cabinets”, that allow you to temporarily store items individually, but together in a larger sense.
And, of course - the old “lego brick” metaphor for OOP concepts.
M.
J Lane
03.18.08 / 10am
Cool, yeah. I pulled out the “filing cabinet” one once, but it breaks down a bit if you’re trying to explain what purposed a database serves in a web site.
Kim Siever
03.18.08 / 12pm
The website is like the robotic secretary who extracts file folders at superhuman speed.
Kim Siever
03.18.08 / 7pm
It’s like a big Excel spreadsheet.
An analogy could be a big file cabinet. Each cabinet is a database. Each drawer is a table. Each folder is a row.
Scott Skjei
03.19.08 / 4pm
I think of a database as a kind of “super” index. Most people understand what an index in a book is. Imagine looking up WW2 in some first year world history text. You’d find pages where WW2 is discussed. Now imagine looking up England in the same book. A database would let you find all the pages that discuss WW2 and England, WW2 but not England, WW2 or England, etc.
Do I completely misunderstand databases?
J Lopez
04.04.08 / 7am
The way I have explained it is a file cabinet. since a database was made to replace it.
File cabinet = database
File drawer = Table
File = Record
Everything after that gets technical and harder to explain.
fields, relationships, search, index, etc.
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