This document provides definitions and summaries of different types of databases:
- It defines databases, data, and database management systems. It also defines flat file databases, relational databases, document-oriented databases, embedded databases, hypertext databases, operational databases, and distributed databases.
- Relational databases organize data into formally described tables that can be accessed in many ways without reorganizing tables. Document databases are designed for storing and managing document-oriented information. Embedded databases are integrated with application software. Operational databases contain reference and event data for transaction systems. Distributed databases consist of data files located across network sites.