Data & Databases
Master data storage, retrieval, and analysis. From SQL databases to NoSQL solutions and data science fundamentals.
Why Data & Databases Matter
Foundation of Applications:
- Every app needs data storage
- User accounts and profiles
- Content and media storage
- Transaction records
- Analytics and logging
Career Opportunities:
- Database Administrator (DBA)
- Data Analyst
- Data Scientist
- Backend Developer
- Business Intelligence Developer
Business Impact:
- Data-driven decision making
- Performance optimization
- Customer insights
- Predictive analytics
- Competitive advantage
Learning Paths
SQL Basics
Learn relational databases and SQL query language fundamentals
PostgreSQLMySQLSQLiteSQL Server
NoSQL Databases
Explore non-relational databases for flexible data storage
MongoDBRedisCassandraDynamoDB
Data Analysis
Analyze and visualize data to extract meaningful insights
Python/PandasRExcelTableau
Database Types Overview
| Database Type | Best For | Popularity |
|---|---|---|
Relational (SQL) | Structured data with relationships | Very High |
Document | JSON-like documents | High |
Key-Value | Simple key-value pairs | High |
Graph | Connected data relationships | Growing |
Column-Family | Wide-column storage | Moderate |
Time-Series | Time-stamped data | Growing |
Essential Concepts
Database Design
- Entity-Relationship (ER) modeling
- Normalization and denormalization
- Primary and foreign keys
- Indexes and constraints
- Schema design patterns
Performance
- Query optimization
- Indexing strategies
- Caching mechanisms
- Connection pooling
- Database monitoring
Security
- Authentication and authorization
- SQL injection prevention
- Data encryption
- Backup and recovery
- Access control
Scaling
- Horizontal vs vertical scaling
- Replication and sharding
- Load balancing
- Distributed databases
- Cloud database services
Recommended Learning Path
- Start with SQL Fundamentals
Learn basic queries, joins, and database design principles
- Practice with Real Databases
Use PostgreSQL or MySQL for hands-on experience
- Explore NoSQL Options
Learn MongoDB or Redis for different use cases
- Learn Data Analysis
Use Python/Pandas or R for data manipulation and visualization
Popular Tools & Technologies
SQL Databases:
- PostgreSQL
- MySQL
- SQLite
- SQL Server
NoSQL Databases:
- MongoDB
- Redis
- Cassandra
- DynamoDB
Analysis Tools:
- Python/Pandas
- R
- Tableau
- Power BI
Cloud Services:
- AWS RDS
- Google Cloud SQL
- Azure Database
- Firebase