CST363 - Week 1

 Here are my answers to the questions for the journal for week 1.

1. Relational database tables and spreadsheets look similar with both having rows and columns.  What are some important differences between the two?
   
   Databases are designed to handle large amounts of data and allow relationships between different tables, while spreadsheets are simpler and mainly used for calculations and small datasets. Spreadsheet is the main tool I use for my current job, and while both databases and spreadsheets look alike with rows and columns, databases offer much more flexibility and the ability to manage data efficiently. They also provide better security and allow multiple users to work on the data at the same time without issues.
   
   
2. Installing and configuration a database and learning how to use it is more complicated that just reading and writing data to a file.  What are some important reasons that makes a database a useful investment of time?
   
   Installing and configuring a database takes more effort than working with simple files, but it is worth doing so. Unlike simple files, databases are specifically designed to handle large amounts of data efficiently, making them faster and more reliable. such as providing powerful tools for organizing, analyzing, and querying data. Databases also ensure data consistency, reducing errors that can occur with manual file management. The another advantage is that they offer advanced features like user access controls for security, automated backups to prevent data loss, and the ability to manage complex relationships between data.
   
   
3. What do you want to learn in this course that you think will be useful in your future career?
   

   Database is one of the topics I’ve been wanting to dive deeper into, and I’m very excited to learn about it this semester. Databases play a important role in how systems handle and store information, and I’m eager to understand the structure and capabilities. I’m also excited to learn about their real-world applications and how they support industries in handling large and complex datasets. This knowledge will be a valuable foundation for both my studies and future career goals.