Database
Also called DB.
A database is an organized collection of data that software can store, search, and update.
Example
Product listings live in a database. The listings page asks for the published ones instead of keeping a separate handwritten list.
Why it matters
A spreadsheet on one laptop is not a shared database. A database answers queries from the application. The schema describes the shape. The records are the individual items.
Common confusion
A database is not a hostingHosting is providing the computers that keep a website or application available to the people who use it. account, and it is not GitGit is a version-control tool that records changes to files and helps people combine work over time.. Git records file history. A database stores the application's data.
Sources
Updated September 30, 2026.