relational database

Definition

Computer database in which all data is stored in Relations which (to the user) are tables with rows and columns. Each table is composed of records (called Tuples) and each record is identified by a field (attribute) containing a unique value. Every table shares at least one field with another table in 'one to one,' 'one to many,' or 'many to many' relationships. These relationships allow the database user to access the data in almost an unlimited number of ways, and to combine the tables as building blocks to create complex and very large databases. See also flat database.