Types of database

TYPES OF DATABASES:

 Database can be classified according to the following factors. They are:

•  1.Number of Users 
• 2.Database Location 
• 3.Expected type 
• 4.Extent of use 

1. Based on number of Users:

 According to the number of users the databases can be classified into following types. They are :
 a). Single user
 b). Multi user 

Single user database:

  Single user database supports only one user at a time.
 Desktop or personal computer database is an example for single user database.

 Multi user database:

  Multi user database supports multiple users at the same time.
 Work group database and enterprise databases are examples for multi-user database.

Work group database:

 If the multi user database supports relatively small number of users (fewer than 50) within an organization is called as Work group database

. Enterprise database: If the database is used by the entire organization and supports multiple users (more than 50) across many departments is called as Enterprise database.

2. Based on Location:

 According to the location of database the databases can be classified into following types. They are:

a).Centralized Database 
b).Distributed Database

Centralized Database:

 It is a database that is located, stored, and maintained in a single location. This location is most often a central computer or database system, for example a desktop or server CPU, or a mainframe computer. In most cases, a centralized database would be used by an organization (e.g. a business company) or an institution (e.g. a university.)

Distributed Database:

 A distributed database is a database in which storage devices are not all attached to a common CPU. It may be stored in multiple computers located in the same physical location, or may be dispersed over a network of interconnected computers.