A database (DB) is an organized collection of data. This data can be shared, has minimal redundancy, and is independent of applications. A database is like an electronic file cabinet that lets you add, query, update, and delete data.
Common databases
The following are three common types of databases:
Oracle
Oracle supports a variety of hardware and operating system platforms, ranging from desktop computers to large-scale computers and supercomputers. It provides a high degree of scalability for various hardware structures and supports configurations such as symmetric multiprocessors, clustered multiprocessors, and massively parallel processors. Oracle also provides extensive international language support.
The system provides a complete software development tool, Developer2000. This tool includes an interactive application generator, report printing software, word processing software, and a centralized data dictionary. You can use these tools to create your own applications.
Oracle represents data in two-dimensional tables and provides Structured Query Language (SQL). SQL is used to perform basic database management functions, such as data query, manipulation, definition, and control.
Oracle is highly portable. Its communication features allow programs on microcomputers to exchange data with Oracle databases that run on minicomputers and mainframes.
Oracle is a large-scale database system suitable for application systems of all sizes. It can also function as the server-side database system in a client-server architecture.
SQL Server
SQL Server is a scalable and high-performance relational database management system from Microsoft. It is designed for distributed client-server computing, integrates seamlessly with Windows NT, and provides a transaction-based, enterprise-level information management solution. Before the SQL Server 2016 version, SQL Server ran only on Windows and did not support Linux.
MySQL
MySQL is an open-source relational database management system (RDBMS). It uses SQL for database management. MySQL is cross-platform and runs on operating systems such as Linux and Windows.
Deploy a database
You can deploy these three common databases in several ways. For quick deployment and simplified O&M, you can use ApsaraDB RDS. You can also use an Alibaba Cloud Marketplace image to quickly deploy a database. If a suitable image is not available or you require a custom deployment, you can manually deploy the database.
Migrate a self-managed database to ApsaraDB RDS
If you want to simplify database management and use a highly available, reliable, secure, and scalable managed database service, you can use Alibaba Cloud ApsaraDB RDS. ApsaraDB RDS is a stable, reliable, and elastically scalable relational database service from Alibaba Cloud that supports the MySQL, SQL Server, PostgreSQL, and MariaDB engines. It provides a complete set of solutions for disaster recovery, backup, recovery, and migration. For more information, see Introduction to ApsaraDB RDS.
You can use Data Transmission Service (DTS) to smoothly migrate your self-managed database to an Alibaba Cloud database. For specific instructions, see Migration solutions.
Manage a database
Data Management (DMS) is a comprehensive data management platform designed to support the entire data lifecycle. DMS provides features such as global data asset management, data governance, database design and development, data integration, data development, and data consumption. It supports various data sources, such as relational databases, NoSQL databases, and data warehouses, Hologres, and OSS. For more information, see What is Data Management (DMS)?.
Back up a database
For ApsaraDB databases, you can use their built-in backup features or use DBS to create backups.
For databases that are deployed from Alibaba Cloud Marketplace or deployed manually, you can use Cloud Backup or DBS to create backups.
For more information, see the following documents: