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Welcome to the essential world of data, the beating heart of almost all digital operations. In an era where information is as valuable as currency, understanding what databases , the different types that exist and how they operate is crucial for anyone who wants to efficiently manage a business.
And it's no wonder: the scenario of the volume of data produced worldwide is increasing: according to the World Economic Forum , in 2025, experts indicate that more than 463 exabytes of data will be created every day, the equivalent of around of 212,765,957 DVDs .
So, in this article, we will unravel the concept of a database, an organized storage structure that not only keeps information secure but also makes it accessible and manageable .
Furthermore, we will explore the main types that exist, how they benefit from cloud computing and what the challenges of this technology are for the future.
Good reading!
What is database?
A database is a structured and organized collection of data that allows the management, storage and retrieval of this information efficiently. Essential in digital environments, banks are extremely important for the operation of a variety of systems, from business applications to social networks, for example.
What is the history of the evolution of databases?
This fascinating history goes back to the first information storage systems, which were manual and paper-based . With the invention of computers came the need to manage large volumes of data efficiently, which led to the development of the first database management systems (DBMS) in the 1960s.
Thus, these systems, like IBM's IMS, were hierarchical or network-based and allowed companies to store and retrieve data with greater speed and reliability than traditional methods.
Later in the 1970s, researcher Edgar F. Codd introduced the relational model for databases , which revolutionized the way data was stored and accessed. The relational model allowed the organization of data into tables with rows and columns, where each table could be related to another through foreign keys.
This simplified database design and made queries more intuitive and powerful with the introduction of Structured Query Language (SQL) . Relational database systems such as Oracle, Microsoft SQL Server, and MySQL became widely adopted in the following decades.
With the emergence of the internet and the exponential increase in data generation, relational banks began to face scalability and flexibility challenges. NoSQL databases in the late 2000s, which were designed to handle large volumes of distributed data and to offer more flexible schemas.
These databases, such as Cassandra, MongoDB and Couchbase, are optimized for fast read and write operations and are capable of handling structured , semi-structured and unstructured .
Today, we are in the era of cloud databases and database-as-a-service (DBaaS) services, where cloud providers provide the necessary infrastructure, maintenance, and scalability for management, allowing organizations to focus more on the development of its applications than in bank management.
Platforms such as Amazon Web Services (AWS), Google Cloud Platform and Microsoft Azure provide a variety of services that support both relational and NoSQL models, offering high availability, durability and data security.
Additionally, artificial intelligence and machine learning are being integrated into modern database systems, enabling predictive analytics and real-time insights
Data vs. information: what's the difference?
Data represents raw , unprocessed , which by themselves may not convey clear meaning. For example, an isolated sequence of numbers, terms, measurements, or observations that alone do not provide understanding or context. They are the raw material that, after being properly processed and interpreted, turns into information.
Thus, when organized and interpreted within a context, this data becomes valuable information, gaining purpose and being able to support decision-making, problem solving or as a basis for discussions and learning. In databases, this transformation is carried out through operations such as queries and reports, conducted by a DBMS.
What are the main types of existing databases?
Exploring the main types of databases is essential to understanding how information can be managed and accessed. Each model is designed to meet different needs and uses different technologies. Check it out below:
Relational Databases (RDBMS)
Relational databases use the SQL to manipulate and perform queries on data that is stored in tables with pre-defined relationships between them. They are known for their high reliability and ease of data storage and retrieval.
NoSQL Databases
NoSQL databases were developed to offer a more flexible , supporting a wider variety of data formats. Thus, they are often chosen to deal with large volumes of data that do not fit well into rigid tabular models.
Hierarchical databases
Hierarchical databases organize data into a tree structure , where each record has a single parent record. Its predefined structure is effective for data that follows a logical hierarchy, but has limitations in complexity and flexibility.
Multimedia Databases
As the name suggests, these banks specialize in storing and managing a variety of media, such as images, audio and videos . Multimedia databases have specific technologies for the efficient indexing and retrieval of these types of data, which often require large storage capacities.
Object Databases
This category stores information in the form of objects, as in object-oriented programming languages. They are ideal for complex applications, where data and its relationships can be represented more naturally as objects.
In- memory database
They are designed to reside in the computer's RAM , rather than on hard drives, which allows for extremely fast reading and writing speeds. They are an excellent option for systems that require real-time responses or have high performance demands.
What are the most used databases today?
The database market is diverse, with several options adapted to information storage and retrieval needs. Currently, some b stand out in use due to their functionalities, performance and reliability. Are they:
MySQL
MySQL is a widely adopted relational database system due to its open-source nature and flexibility . Often used in web applications, it is known for its ease of use and good performance on different platforms.
PostgreSQL
PostgreSQL is a relational database with an emphasis on extensibility and SQL compliance. Useful for dealing with large data sets and complex applications, it is recognized for its robustness and advanced features.
Microsoft SQL Server
Microsoft SQL Server stands out in the business scenario due to its integration with other Microsoft products. Oriented mainly towards Windows environments, it is chosen for its security and scalability.
Oracle Database
Oracle Database is a relational database solution developed by Oracle Corporation. It is a common choice for large enterprises due to its strong performance , ability to handle large volumes of data, and extensive transaction support.
MongoDB
document -oriented NoSQL database designed for ease of development and scalability. Its flexible storage structure is ideal for handling varied and bulk data.
Redis
Redis is an in- memory , used as a database, cache and message broker. It is highly performant, with key-value data structures and atomized operations support.
How do different market sectors benefit from a database?
Several market sectors obtain competitive advantages through the efficient use of a database. retail sector , it optimizes inventory management and personalizes the customer experience. In the health , they are essential for maintaining patient records and managing critical information about treatments and medications.
Financial sectors rely heavily on databases for risk analysis, fraud prevention and secure market operations. An example of this is Mercado Data , an open investment database, which facilitates access to financial market information.
education sector , databases store student records, assessments and educational content, encouraging the personalization of learning. Technology companies deal with massive volumes of data, making database systems essential for daily operations, security and innovation in products and services.
For each sector, databases open up opportunities to improve processes , offer better services and obtain insights for strategic development. Therefore, specialized professionals are essential in this context.
Cloud vs. data center: what is the best option?
When companies consider IT infrastructure, they are often faced with the choice between data center and cloud computing. Both solutions have their particular merits and considerations, depending on the technological demands of each organization.
However, opting for a cloud database offers several advantages , especially in terms of scalability, performance and cost. With the cloud, companies can benefit from the ability to dynamically scale resources, paying only for what they use.
This means that as demand for data storage or computing power increases, the bank can expand without needing to invest heavily in hardware . Additionally, maintenance and updates are managed by the cloud service provider, reducing the workload of internal IT teams and minimizing downtime.
Another significant benefit is improved accessibility and collaboration. Data stored in the cloud can be accessed from anywhere in the world, as long as there is an internet connection. This facilitates remote work and collaboration between geographically distributed teams.
Security is also enhanced as cloud service providers implement robust security protocols to protect data. Additionally, in the event of disasters or hardware backup systems tend to be more effective, ensuring business continuity with less risk of data loss.
What are the main advantages of using a cloud database?
As we have seen, the use of databases in the cloud has become a trend, and the advantages reflect the potential of cloud computing to optimize the storage and manipulation of data in an efficient and secure manner. See each of them in detail below:
Scalability
Cloud databases easily scale, allowing resources to be increased or reduced This provides a more accurate adjustment to the demand for storage and processing capacity.
Accessibility
Data accessibility is significantly improved with the cloud database, as it can be accessed from anywhere , at any time, as long as there is an internet connection.
Simplified management
Managing a database in the cloud is simplified as the cloud provider takes care of routine administrative tasks, freeing IT staff to focus on higher-value activities.
cost reduction
Cost reduction is a notable advantage, as it eliminates investment in hardware and physical infrastructure, in addition to minimizing maintenance expenses.
Advanced security
With a cloud database, security is reinforced through advanced data protection and compliance measures, which are constantly updated by service providers.
Automatic updates
Automatic updates ensure that the database is always using the latest technology available, without significant disruption to the user.
disaster recovery
In the event of failures or disasters, distributed databases in the cloud have robust recovery , reducing risks and downtime.
Continuous innovation
Continuous innovation is ensured as cloud providers constantly invest in new technologies, allowing users to quickly benefit from improvements and new developments in the industry.
How does migrating a database to the cloud work?
Migrating a database to the cloud is a carefully structured process that involves several steps. From planning to data transfer and monitoring, each phase is crucial to ensuring an effective and safe transition.
See each of them:
Planning
During planning, the distributed database that will be used and the scope of the project are defined, analyzing the specificities of existing workflows. This is where the main objectives of cloud computing are identified, such as simplified management and scalability.
Backup and preparation
Before starting the migration to the cloud robust backup of the database is performed Preparation also includes cleaning and evaluating what information is essential to be migrated.
Cloud resource provisioning
the resources , such as computing and storage instances, are provisioned in the cloud computing Future demand is taken into account to enable database scalability.
Data transfer
Data transfer must be performed with specialized , ensuring the integrity and security of information during the process.
Tests
After migration, a series of tests are performed to ensure that the cloud database is functioning as expected , without data loss or disruptions to workflows.
Application update
The adjustment of the applications involved is necessary so that they communicate correctly with the new distributed database environment in cloud computing .
Monitoring and optimization
With the database already operating in the cloud, continuous monitoring is essential to detect any problems. Optimization improve performance and efficiency.
Continuous backup
It is vital to maintain a continuous database backup routine after migration, ensuring that information is secure and can be recovered in case of failure.
The main challenges and trends in databases
Big data
Here the main aspects are the management of massive volumes of data, the speed required to process and analyze this data in real time, and the variety of data types that need to be integrated, from structured to unstructured data.
Trends in big data analytics focus on the adoption of technologies such as Hadoop and Spark for distributed processing, as well as the use of NoSQL database management systems to handle the variety and agility of data.
Additionally, there is a growing movement toward data platforms as a service (DaaS) and artificial intelligence to improve analytics and data processing automation.
Machine learning
In the field of Machine Learning applied to databases, the challenge is to develop models that can not only deal with large volumes of data, but also learn and adapt efficiently and accurately. This involves issues of scalability, training time, and the ability to deal with noisy or incomplete data.
Trends point to deeper integration of machine learning capabilities directly into database management systems, enabling predictive analytics and data-driven decisions to be made in near real-time.
The use of AutoML for automating machine learning processes and exploring deep learning for insights are also on the rise.
Security and privacy
Security and privacy challenges are amplified by the growing amount of sensitive data and strict regulations like LGPD. Protection against unauthorized access, cyber attacks and data leaks are constant concerns.
Trends in this area include the implementation of advanced encryption techniques, such as homomorphic encryption , which allows operations on encrypted data without needing to decrypt it. Additionally, there is an increasing focus on privacy solutions that enable the use of data for analysis without compromising the identity of individuals, such as anonymization and the use of differential privacy techniques.
Another trend is the development of more robust identity and access management systems, which use multi-factor authentication and least privilege management to strengthen security. Artificial intelligence is also being applied to detect abnormal usage patterns and potential threats in real time, improving the ability to respond to security incidents.
Your database in the cloud with Skyone
When considering migrating your database to the cloud, it is essential to choose a partner who not only understands the complexities of this transition, but also offers robust solutions and dedicated support .
That's why Skyone stands out as the ideal partner for companies looking to carry out this migration safely and efficiently. With a team of highly qualified , we promote a smooth transition from your on-premises database to cloud solutions, ensuring data integrity, security and performance are maintained or even improved.
Find out how we can help your business!
Conclusion
There is no doubt: in the digital age, the ability to access and analyze information quickly is a competitive differentiator . Therefore, databases support this need with features that include immediate access, backup, robust recovery, and much more.
The technologies involved in database systems have evolved significantly, and cloud computing has made this tool even more powerful for businesses that want to grow and stand out in the market.
Continue your journey of knowledge by checking out our complete guide on migrating to the cloud!
