A transactional database refers to a database system that supports transactions, which are a series of operations that must be completed as a single unit of work. The spelling of "transactional database" can be explained using IPA phonetic transcription as /trænˈzækʃənəl ˈdeɪtəbeɪs/. The stress is on the second syllable of "transactional" and the first syllable of "database." The use of phonetic transcription makes it easier to understand the correct pronunciation of words, especially for those who are learning English as a second language.
A transactional database, also known as an operational or OLTP (Online Transaction Processing) database, is a type of database management system specifically designed to handle and manage the transactions occurring within an organization. It is commonly used in businesses, financial institutions, e-commerce platforms, and other environments where numerous transactions are processed daily.
At its core, a transactional database is optimized for managing data that undergoes frequent changes or updates, ensuring reliability, consistency, and atomicity of data operations. The database is structured in a way that supports the ACID (Atomicity, Consistency, Isolation, Durability) properties, which guarantee that database transactions are executed reliably and without corruption.
Transactional databases provide a platform for both reading and writing data, enabling users to perform various operations such as inserting, updating, deleting, and retrieving specific records. They emphasize quick response times and efficient handling of concurrent transactions. In other words, multiple users can perform simultaneous transactions within the database system without interfering with each other's data.
To ensure data integrity, transactional databases typically employ locking mechanisms and concurrent control algorithms to prevent conflicts and maintain consistency. These databases also often include features like data rollback, which allows for undoing a transaction if errors occur or if the user aborts a transaction midway.
Overall, transactional databases form the backbone of many operational systems, enabling organizations to store and manage large volumes of transactional data efficiently and effectively.
The word "transactional database" consists of two main components: "transactional" and "database".
The term "transactional" refers to the concept of a transaction, which is a unit of work performed within a database management system (DBMS). It involves a series of operations that need to be carried out as a single, indivisible unit to ensure data integrity. This term derives from the Latin word "transactio", which means "a carrying over" or "a conducting of business".
The word "database" comes from the combination of "data" and "base". "Data" refers to information or facts, while "base" refers to a foundation or a central location. The term "database" thus refers to a structured collection of data that is organized and stored in a computer system.