why is a database better than a spreadsheet?

Question

so what makes it better

Answer 1

Who said it was?

Many times I'll tell my customers to simply use a spreadsheet rather than setting up a database for something simple.

However, when you're talking about thousands of rows, or theability to query the information, or multiple data items, or more importantly, building relationships between multiple entities, a database has greatadvantages overa spreadsheet.

Answer 2

It's better only depending on the application you're using it for. Sometimes spreadsheets are better.

Also, there are all sorts of databases. But I think you're talking about a Relational Database. That has the ability to relate other tables of a database together by columns. That makes it easier to work with data for many applications that a spreadsheet can't handle.

Answer 3

It's Database without a doubt. In Database, there's an insulation between the software, data, and data abstraction. In Layman's term, there will be much better security and it will be easy to maintain. In Database, you can also link it to several computer applications such as Visual Basic 6 or 2007. Hope It helped!

Answer 4

Both a spreadsheet and database have their advantages and disadvantages, Databases are good for web applications and changing and storing large sets of data. The main difference between the two is a database can search through records where it's a little harder to do with a large spread sheet .

Answer 5

It depends on what your doing, if you're doing a complex survey than I would say a database is better you can break it down into age groups, who shops were, how much they spend etc. If you were doing a simple survey then a spreadsheet may be better as you could show the information and make a chart (I am not sure whether you couldn't do that on a spreadsheet.)

Answer 6

Depends on what you are using the database for. Spreadsheets are fine for general filtering of information(nothing too complicated). Database is better if you are required to create professional looking reports, create links between 2 tables, etc.

Answer 7

A database allows data to be interconnected via relationships. They can store more information and the information can be more easily filtered to attain specific data. Databases also allow data to be inserted through interfaces easier than can be done with a spreadsheet. Databases can also be stored across multiple nodes to speed up data insertion and access.

Whether or not it's better than a spreadsheet depends on what you want to use it for.

Answer 8

they are 2 very different things..

depends on the purpose... in real life you'd not use a tractor for driving to/from work... as you'd not use a car to plough a field.

although both can be incorpated and interact in ways..

thing of a spreadsheet as a big bit of paper for working out calculations

a database, works more like a filing cabinet or card index

Answer 9

A database allows easier access to information since it uses or allows use of query languages natively. A spreadsheet really is a simpler form of a database and can be trained to do the same functions via scripts.

Answer 10

It depends on what you are doing with it and how much data there is. If all you are storing is a few rows/columns, a database may not be better. However, if you have a large data set with a lot of related or repeated data, it can be easier to update and organize in a database.

I'll give a crazy example. Suppose you had a spreadsheet that listed every musician, album, and song that was ever released. Then "Prince" goes and changes his name. Now you want to change "Prince" to the "Artist formerly known as Prince." Do you want to change it in hundreds of spots? Or just go into 1 area, and have all the rest update on their own?