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Databases

Databases are a fundamental part of modern digital landscapes. They function as structured sets of data stored and organized in a manner that ensures efficient retrieval and updating of information. Serving as the backbone for a plethora of applications, these systems handle data management for websites, apps, and enterprise software solutions.

In today’s data-driven world, the importance of databases is paramount. They hold the critical role of storing, retrieving, and manipulating data, thus facilitating smooth and efficient operations. From managing user information on social media platforms, processing transactions in e-commerce, to powering data analysis in large corporations, they are everywhere.

Two primary types of databases are most prevalent – relational and NoSQL. Relational databases, such as MySQL, PostgreSQL and Oracle, are characterized by a tabular data structure, where data is organized in tables and relationships are maintained between different data sets. They excel in handling structured data and support complex querying capabilities.

On the other hand, NoSQL databases, which include document stores, key-value stores, wide-column stores, and graph databases, are designed to handle unstructured data and offer greater scalability and flexibility. Examples of these systems include MongoDB, Cassandra, DynamoDB and Redis.

In essence, these systems are the cornerstone of modern IT and Software systems, enabling businesses to manage vast amounts of data efficiently and effectively. As our reliance on data continues to grow, so does the importance of robust, efficient, and secure systems. Given their pivotal role, understanding databases and their functionality is a must-have skill in the realm of information technology.

SQL Injection: Describe what it is with examples

A SQL Injection is a code injection technique that attackers use to exploit vulnerabilities in a web application’s database layer. This vulnerability is often present in a web application when user input is incorrectly filtered for string literals that are used in SQL statements, or when user input is not strongly typed and can unexpectedly execute SQL commands.

The technique allows an attacker to manipulate SQL queries that an application makes to its database, enabling the attacker to view, alter, or delete data that they are not normally authorized to access.

Database Sharding and its Challenges

Database sharding is a powerful technique employed to manage large databases more effectively. It involves partitioning a large database into smaller, more manageable parts, known as shards. The term “shard” signifies a small fragment of a whole, aptly describing this method of breaking down a large database into smaller, more manageable pieces.

How Does a Database Engine Process Prepared Statements Compared to Normal Statements, and Why Are Prepared Statements Faster

Processing of Normal Non-Prepared Statements Non-prepared statements, also known as direct SQL statements, involve SQL queries being written and sent to the database directly. The steps involved in processing a normal SQL statement are: This whole process is repeated each… Read More »How Does a Database Engine Process Prepared Statements Compared to Normal Statements, and Why Are Prepared Statements Faster

What are Common Table Expressions or CTEs?

Common Table Expressions (CTEs) provide a way to write auxiliary statements for use in a larger query. These auxiliary statements, essentially named subqueries, can be referenced later in the FROM clause. They make queries easier to understand by breaking them up into smaller, simpler parts.

What are database cursors? when might you use them?

A database cursor is a mechanism used to traverse through a set of data retrieved from a database. Cursors are commonly used in programming languages to execute queries that retrieve a large number of rows. Cursors allow for more control over the processing of data and can be used to perform tasks such as updating or deleting records. However, cursors can be resource-intensive and slow down performance, so they should only be used when necessary.

What is the difference between a view and a materialized view?

A view is a virtual table that is based on one or more tables, while a materialized view is a physical copy of a view that is stored on disk. Unlike views, materialized views can be indexed for faster access and can improve query performance in data-intensive environments.

Introduction to Indexing in Relational Databases

Indexing is a powerful technique in relational databases that enhances query performance by minimizing the time it takes to search and retrieve data. It’s similar to the way you use an index in a book to quickly find the page containing the information you seek. In this blog post, we’ll dive into the world of indexing, focusing on how it works in relational databases like PostgreSQL, and explore the benefits and trade-offs involved.