Behind every website, application, enterprise, or any business, research or web content handling with some amount of data there is a database program managing it, and here we have listed the 6 easiest database programs to learn.
What are database programs and does it pay off learning them? Database software, or else known as DBMS (database management system) are set of software that enable creating, accessing, storing, and managing of the whole data of a certain database. Database programs are made to handle a huge amount of data, to store and retrieve it quickly. Learning databases opens up a huge number of well-paid job positions such as database analyst, software developer, database administrator, web developer and many more.
Let’s start with a database. A database is a structured collection of information organized in some manner. The data can be arranged in form of tables, text, reports, graphics or some other form. Databases are organized in a manner that the data can be accessed and retrieved easily. There are several types of databases: desktop databases (for private users on a desktop), server databases (multiuser database programmed to deal with huge amount of information), web-enabled database (web integrated database applications). So, there are database software designed for any purpose, whether it is making an application on the web, or running an important business in big enterprises. Since database programs are usually based on coding languages, most commonly SQL for example, you might first take a look at the Easiest Coding Languages to Learn for First-Time Learners, before considering to learn some of the easiest database programs.
To access the database, some of the DBMS are used. There are several different DBMS based on types of databases which include hierarchical databases, network databases, relational databases, object-oriented databases, cloud databases, NoSQL databases, graph databases, etc. Of those, mostly used are the relational database management systems (or RDBMS). Relational databases are those databases that can quickly arrange huge amount of information, without duplicating the data. The data is divided into categories that are separated to the smallest usable units.
To see what are the most recommended database programs we consulted ITCareerSuccess, where they show which are the mostly used and reliable programs. Also, DB Engines gives a great insight in the ranking of database programs. For the information on specific software, usage and the level of difficulty, we consulted the Technopedia first. But since the main goal was to find out which are the easiest to learn, we have researched the Quora, on the questions which are the best options for beginners concerning the DBMS. Apart from that, we have searched for the opinions on the comparison between suggested programs, in terms which are more user friendly, also from Quora, and from other forums as well like ArsTechnica, SoftwareEngineering and others.
Learning a DBMS is surely not an easy thing, because it often requires a foreknowledge in some of the programming languages, but since there are many tutorials available for all of them, you might try out some of the database programs we have listed here.
6. IBM DB2
Up next on our list of easiest database programs to learn is IBM DB2 that is a relational DBMS capable of handling huge amount of data. Because of that, it is suitable for large size enterprises. Apart from storing, analyzing and retrieving data, it also has the support of object-oriented non-relational features. It is probably not the quite easiest DBMS to learn, but there are many tutorials and forums that help beginners get into it.
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5. Microsoft Office Accesss
Microsoft Office Access is a well-known application from the Microsoft Office package which includes Word and Excel, though more specialized editions can be bought separately. It is yet another of the easiest database programs to learn, mostly suitable for smaller enterprises. Perhaps the bad side of Microsoft Office Access is that it was made for Windows only. Access offers manipulating the data through its components that include queries, reports, macros, relationships and modules.
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4. MySQL
We are continuing our list of easiest database programs to learn with MySQL is SQL that is based relational DBMS oriented mostly towards creating web applications and for websites handling huge amount of data. It is easy to use server-based software, and it is open source and therefore very popular among internet systems.
3. MariaDB
This is an open source relational DBMS, created by MySQL developers, and hence often used as MySQL alternative. It is easy to use software, constantly being updated and improved. It allows fast performance of complex queries, replication, conversions and many other features. Apart from being just an alternative, it is being recommended as even better solution than MySQL for beginners.
2. Oracle
Oracle, the next one on our list of easiest database programs to learn is one of the most widely used relational DBMS. The data can be easily accessed by SQL, with a user-friendly interface. It enables storing of a mass amount of data, and one of great Oracle’s features is that it allows the division of system which helps localize possible errors concerning system failure that would otherwise bring down the database. Depending on the editions (standard or enterprise), the price varies between $700 and $17,000.
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1. Filemaker Pro
Filemaker Pro is the number one cross-platform relational DBMS on our list of 6 easiest database programs to learn. It is user-friendly software which enables creating custom applications even without any programming knowledge. Now it is suitable for both Windows and Mac, although it has originally been made for Mac working environment lately. Filemaker Pro has the ability to connect with SQL databases. The basic version of Filemaker Pro license costs about $300.
