以解决机构数据管理需求为目的的相关数据的集合称为数据库。
另一方面，数据库管理系统 (DBMS) 是非常复杂的软件，它将数据保存在辅助存储设备上并用于操作数据库。
数据库和 DBMS 的区别：
| S. No. | Category | Database | DBMS |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Storage | Besides computers, databases can even be maintained in physical ledgers, books or papers. | In a database management system (DBMS), all the records are maintained only on a computer. |
| 2. | Data Retrieval | The retrieval of information from the databases can be done manually, through queries or by using programs (C, C++, Java etc.). | We can retrieve the data from the database management system through queries written in SQL. |
| 3. | Speed | As databases can be handled manually or via computers, when SQL is not used to retrieve information, it can be very slow. | As a computer system is involved in a database management system, the retrieval of information is very quick. |
| 4. | Access | The databases are not designed for a large number of people who can access data at the same time, rather it is designed for a very small number of people (preferably few people) who access data at different times. | The database management system is designed for a large number of people who can access the data at the same time. |
| 5. | Data Manipulation | In case of the databases, very less information can be modified at a time. | In the database management system (DBMS), a lot of information can be changed at one time (as it can have many users using it at the same time). |
| 6. | Backup and Recovery | The databases do not ensure that the data will be available after failure arises. | The database management system (DBMS) ensures that the data will always be available even after system failures. |