GIS11

Definition of a Database
A Database is a logically collection of data about some aspect(s) of the real world, with some inherent meaning
The Database is designed, implemented and populated with data for a specific purpose
In other words, a database has a source, some degree of interaction with the real world. More informally, a database is an organized  collection of records (rows) representing distinct persons, places or things. Each record is comprised of a consistent set of fields (columns) which contains information describing that distinct person, place or thing
Typical GIS Database Operations
Sorting: arranging some or all records in a database according to some order, ascending or descending
Selecting [Querying]: selecting records from a database that follow some  specified criteria
Editing [Populating]:  altering/entering field values of some particular set  of records or all existing records
Summarizing:  preparing summaries of data, classifying data  based on  particular groups, and providing  statistical summaries for the groups
Generating Reports:  preparing tables, charts, graphs to visually report  data, embed map graphics in text documents
Creating New data: creating new records or new fields for existing spatial  feature data
Recalculating Fields:  altering the values of some fields for several records  simultaneously
Creating Thematic Maps: using the attribute data to generate the map graphic   display
Generating Unique Identifiers:   generating unique identifiers or IDs for records
Converting Data types: converting field values from one  data type [e.g.  Number] to another [e.g. text]