OCR GCSE Computer Science Paper 2 Practice 2025 - Free Practice Questions and Study Guide

A relational database is specifically designed to handle multiple tables and the relationships between them. This type of database utilizes a structured format where data is organized into tables, which can then be related and linked based on common fields. This allows for the efficient storage and retrieval of complex data sets, making it possible to perform sophisticated queries that span multiple tables. The relationships can be classified as one-to-one, one-to-many, or many-to-many, facilitating a more organized and connected dataset.

In contrast, a flat file database stores data in a single table and does not support relationships between tables, making it less suitable for complex data needs. A NoSQL database focuses on flexibility and scalability, often using document or key-value pairs without a strict schema, which may allow for multiple data types but typically does not utilize tables in the same way as relational databases. Finally, a hierarchical database organizes data in a tree-like structure with a single parent for each record, lacking the rich relationship capabilities inherent in a relational database.