A database application is a program that stores information for specific purposes. It has evolved from mainframe computers to desktop applications, aiding in various business endeavors and personal use. The range and type of data application software continue to expand, catering to an ever-growing user market.
A database application is a program that serves as a repository for information collected for specific purposes. Sometimes referred to as a computer database, the application is normally structured so that data entry by authorized personnel is relatively straightforward, often requiring nothing more than entering information into specific fields on a template. Once entered, the data contained in the database application can be retrieved just as easily by any user in possession of the appropriate access credentials.
The concept of a database application dates back to the mid-20th century when the first mainframe computers were developed. These large electronic brains were often configured so that users could use a simple typewriter-like keyboard to enter information that was eventually recorded on punched cards. Those cards could then be inserted into the mainframe, permanently saving the encrypted data. Once in the system, users could type queries, activating the electronic brain to sort the data held in the system and provide a printed response.
Early examples of a database application involved use in streamlining accounting functions in large corporations, such as calculating wages and salaries followed by payroll generation. Many airlines used these early applications to enter passenger reservation data and prepare printed tickets to match those reservations. As computer systems became more sophisticated in the 1970s and beyond, additional applications were created to aid in a wide range of business endeavours, including sales, marketing efforts, and even supply chain management.
With the advent of the desktop computer, the scope of database application software has continued to expand. Home users can create databases that track everything from household budgets to family and friends’ birthdays. Small businesses that didn’t have the resources to invest in full computer systems used by larger companies found that applications written with use in desktop applications were ideal for everything from tracking leads through a sales cycle to helping create and maintain a mailing list of established clients. Since the early 21st century, the range and scope of database application software has continued to evolve, enabling many users to accomplish tasks in minutes that once took hours to manage.
Just as computer technology continues to progress, the range and type of data application software has continued to expand and embrace an ever-growing user market. Some applications are intended for business use, while others are configured specifically to meet the needs of residential computer users. Unlike the applications of decades past, it is possible to purchase different types of data application software at very reasonable prices, as well as use free open source applications for anyone to use at no cost.
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