A database is a collection of records, or pieces of information. A database contains multiple tables. Tables contain records (rows) and fields (columns). For example in a table containing personal information on people, each row might represent a person, while columns would be used to store the person’s name, address, phone number, etc.

A schema contains the structural description of the type of information that a database contains. The schema describes the objects that are represented in the database, and the relationships among them.

The database management system (DBMS) is the software that manages the database. The terms database and DBMS are often used interchangeably, but this is technically incorrect because a database is a file or concept, whereas the DBMS is the software used to modify the database.

A database model describes the way a schema is organized, such as hierarchical, network, or relational model. Industrial applications typically use the relational model, which makes a relational DBMS (RDBMS). Common RDBMS applications include Microsoft SQL, Microsoft Access, Oracle, Informix, Sybase, MySQL, etc.

In a relational database, tables are related to each other. For example, the table of equipment is related to the equipment maintenance table, which is related to the maintenance personnel table.

Corporations often use SQL (Structured Query Language) and/or ODBC to retrieve data from an RDBMS.

OPC can be used to enable an RDBMS to collect automation data for the purpose of data analysis, optimization, troubleshooting, regulatory compliance, inventory control, etc.

See also: ODBC, SQL