Where Did Databases Come From?

Abstract

Let’s cover the basics first. Databases did not come from a turnip patch nor did a stork deliver them under a full moon. In fact, even though many people consider the database a recent invention, people have been organizing data into databases at least as long as recorded history. After all, what is recorded history except an attempt to organize the data of events? With the advent of the computer, it became easier to manipulate data, which then led people to formally define databases, which led to simplifying the gathering and manipulating of even large amounts of data. In this chapter, we’ll take a whirlwind look at the history of databases, including how they evolved from paper to electronic, and define some database terms in easily understood terms.