First, network and hierarchical database models were developed. However, these soon proved to be too simple and technically limited. IBM achieved a major breakthrough in the 1970s with the development of the much more powerful relational database model, which quickly spread into working life. The most successful products of this time were the database language SQL from Oracle and the successor products from IBM, SQL/DS and DB2.
Until the 2000s, well-known manufacturers dominated the market for database software until several open source projects brought in a breath of fresh air. The most popular freely accessible systems include MySQL and PostgreSQL. The trend towards NoSQL systems, which began in 2001, continued the tradition of relational database systems started by manufacturers.
Today, it is impossible to imagine many areas of application without database systems. All business software is based on powerful databases that provide system administrators with extensive options and tools. In addition, data security has become an increasingly important topic in database systems. Finally, passwords, personal information and even electronic currencies are stored and encrypted in electronic databases.
The modern financial system, for example, can be imagined as a network of databases. Most sums of money exist as electronic information units – protecting this information with the help of secure databases is an essential task for financial institutions. Not least because of this, electronic databases are extremely important for modern civilization.