Core Concepts
- Data: Raw facts such as numbers, text, images, etc.
- Database: An organized collection of data that supports efficient storage and retrieval.
- DBMS: Database Management System – software used to define, manipulate, secure, and maintain databases.
- Functions of DBMS: CRUD operations, security, concurrency, backup/recovery, and data integrity.
Types of Databases
| Category | Examples & Purpose |
|---|---|
| Relational (SQL) | MySQL, PostgreSQL, Oracle – structured, tabular data with SQL queries |
| NoSQL | MongoDB, Redis, Cassandra – flexible schema, large-scale or unstructured data |
| Cloud | Amazon RDS, Firebase, Azure SQL – scalable cloud-based storage |
| In-Memory | Redis, Memcached – ultra-fast data access via RAM |
| Time-Series | InfluxDB, Prometheus – optimized for timestamped data like logs and metrics |
| NewSQL | CockroachDB, Google Spanner – SQL functionality with NoSQL scalability |
| Others | Object-Oriented (db4o), Hierarchical (IMS), Network (IDMS), Operational (Aurora) |
Key Learning Paths & Topics
- SQL & Queries: From basic CRUD operations to complex joins and stored procedures
- Database Design: ER diagrams, normalization, and schema planning
- Database Connectivity: Integrating with web apps and APIs
- Interview Preparation: SQL problems, MongoDB commands, design questions
Tech-Specific Recommendations
Choose databases based on your career focus:
- Web/Mobile Development: MySQL, PostgreSQL, Firebase
- DevOps & Cloud: Amazon RDS, Redis, CockroachDB
- Data Science & AI: MongoDB, InfluxDB, PostgreSQL
- Web3 & Blockchain: IPFS, decentralized DBs, Graph databases like Neo4j
Tips to Improve Your Database Knowledge
- Practice SQL regularly on platforms like LeetCode and HackerRank
- Build mini projects: blog CMS, inventory app, task manager
- Understand relational and non-relational models
- Explore different DBMSs to compare features and use cases
- Follow updates on SQL, NoSQL, and cloud technologies
Database Learning Roadmap
📘 Phase 1: Fundamentals First (Week 1–2)
- Understand what databases are and their core value
- Learn about DBMS vs RDBMS
- Cover basic SQL operations:
SELECT,INSERT,UPDATE,DELETE
🧠 Phase 2: Query Skills & Design Mastery (Week 3–4)
- Joins, Aggregations, Subqueries, Views, Indexing
- Database Design: ER modeling and normalization (1NF → BCNF)
- Design schemas for apps like social media or e-commerce
💻 Phase 3: Real-World Implementation (Week 5–6)
- Connect backend with DB: Python (SQLAlchemy), JavaScript (Sequelize, Mongoose)
- Create REST APIs with DB integration
- Deploy locally or on Heroku/Render
🌐 Phase 4: Exploring Advanced Types (Week 7–8)
- Hands-on with NoSQL (MongoDB, Redis), Cloud DBs (Firebase)
- Explore Graph DBs (Neo4j), Time-Series DBs (InfluxDB)
- Choose databases based on performance needs
✅ Phase 5: Interview & Projects (Ongoing)
- Daily practice on SQL coding platforms
- Review common interview questions (SQL, PL/SQL, MongoDB)
- Project ideas: User authentication system, CMS blog, Analytics dashboard
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