Relational Database Theory was thought of by Edgar
F. Codd, who was an educated mathematician working for IBM in the research lab.
He initially published a paper explaining how he thought that information could
be kept in large databases and accessed without knowing how all of the information
was placed in the system or how to access it. Prior to this concept, accessing
information took a lot of time and had a high cost. At this time period in the
1960s, mainframe computations could cost up to hundreds of dollars for each
minute that is used.
The first idea of relational databases was originally
described in math terms. This was due largely in part to the fact that Codd
originally studied as a mathematician. Codd then added a computer science major
so that he could then program the computer to search for similar information
and thus creating databases. The systems were set up so that the same
information could be found over and over again rather than being able to search
for new information using spark words or other similarities. There are many ways
in which relational databases are used today.
Originally many people thought that the idea of relational
databases was very simplistic and did not have the capability to perform well. The
rational database theory was developed and enhanced and soon became a large
database system. These systems were used to track the materials that were used
in NASAs Apollo Space Program. There are many other cases currently in which
relational databases are used. In most of the popular search engines we can see
the use of relational databases. We are able to open up a search engine and
type in any information we may need and it will show up with various different
options related. Some search engines and databases can populate information
that is similar to the searched information rather than just a word search.
In any sense the development of Relational databases
has proved to be very useful in many senses and allows for research and storage
of information to be much more easily accessible.
Sources:
http://web.cecs.pdx.edu/~maier/TheoryBook/TRD.html
Comments:
http://ae-510-ay15-16.blogspot.com/2016/02/sql-stands-for-structured-query.html?showComment=1454866446006#c5610257769563304987
http://ae-510-ay15-16.blogspot.com/2016/02/b5-group-b-dianna-vogel.html
Comments:
http://ae-510-ay15-16.blogspot.com/2016/02/sql-stands-for-structured-query.html?showComment=1454866446006#c5610257769563304987
http://ae-510-ay15-16.blogspot.com/2016/02/b5-group-b-dianna-vogel.html
Laura,
ReplyDeleteI highly enjoyed reading this brief history of the mechanics involved in making databases possible. The description of public opinion being so skeptical was relatable. When considering the possible implications and advancements of databases and other technologies over the coming years I often find that I am overwhelmed by some of the ideas and am glad that it is not I who is charged with trying to implement all of them into reality. It also impressive how integrated into daily function that database use, at least in our society, has become. I was fascinated by the examples you provided of the major projects that database searches have been involved in.
Laura,
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed that you focused on the history behind your topic, as I did the same. It is refreshing to see something that only a half a century ago was seen as incapable of handling data in this nature has progressed so far.
I also wrote about Dr.Codd, as his paper was also important to the creation of SQL.
~Danielle
Hi Laura! I never knew NASA's Apollo Space Program utilized relational database theory, but I find that very interesting. I had no idea what relational database was or the theory behind it before this weeks blog post, which makes it crazy to me to see how long relational database has been around. I liked your historical description on the topic. Great post!
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