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Database data

 

Database data refers to any information that is stored, organized, and managed within a database system. Databases are designed to facilitate efficient storage, retrieval, and manipulation of data for various applications, such as websites, mobile apps, and enterprise systems. Database management systems (DBMS) such as MySQL, PostgreSQL, MongoDB, or Oracle.

Database data can include structured, semi-structured, or unstructured data and is commonly organized into tables, documents, key-value pairs, or other formats depending on the database type (relational, NoSQL, etc.). Its key characteristics are:

  • Structured organization: In relational databases, data is organized into rows and columns in tables (for example, SQL databases like MySQL or PostgreSQL). In NoSQL databases, data can be organized as key-value pairs, documents, graphs, or column families (for example, MongoDB, Cassandra).
  • Indexing and querying: Database data is indexed to allow for efficient querying using languages like SQL or specialized query formats for NoSQL systems.
  • Data relationships: Relational databases define relationships between tables using primary keys and foreign keys. NoSQL databases often prioritize flexibility over strict relationships.
  • Persistence: Database data is designed to be persistent, meaning it is stored permanently or until explicitly deleted. 
  • Concurrency: Database systems are designed to handle concurrent access and ensure data consistency through mechanisms such as transactions and locking.

Database data must be accurate, consistent, and free of errors. Sensitive data in databases must be protected using encryption, access controls, and compliance with regulations (for example, GDPR, HIPAA). Database data should be backed up regularly to prevent data loss and ensure disaster recovery.

Examples of database data include the following:

  • Customer relationship management (CRM) data: Customer profiles, purchase history, support tickets, and marketing preferences
  • E-Commerce database data: Product catalogs, order data, payment information, and user reviews
  • Healthcare database data: Patient records, appointment data, billing information, and clinical trial data
  • Social Media database data: User profiles, posts, comments, likes, shares, and message data
  • Enterprise resource planning (ERP) data: Employee records, inventory data, financial transactions, and production schedules
  • Educational database data: Student information, course data, examination records, and library records
  • IoT and sensor data: Device metadata, sensor readings, event logs, and usage data
  • Financial services database data: Account information, loan data, investment portfolios, and fraud detection logs
  • Gaming database data: Player profiles, game state data, multiplayer match data, and virtual economy data 
  • Logistics and supply chain database data: Shipment data, warehouse data, supplier information, and order fulfillment data

The Splunk Common Information Model (CIM) add-on contains a Database data model with fields that describe events that pertain to structured and semi-structured data storage. You might also be interested in customer relationship management data, electronic data interchange data, financial data, inventory dataIoT and industrial IoT data, or medical device data.

Before looking at documentation for specific data sources, review the Splunk Docs information on general data ingestion: 

Use cases for the Splunk platform