Computer programs that assign multiple characteristics to data and allow users to sort the data by characteristic
A collection of organised, related data, especially one in electronic form that can be accessed and manipulated by specialised computer software
in the context of this gateway, databases refers to electronic indexes which may sometimes include fulltext articles
Electronic data banks The term most often refers to bibliographic electronic files, which are computerized indexes to journal articles Most databases have been developed around a particular subject and are accessible by subject and keyword Several Library periodical databases include the full-text of the articles For example, Periodical Abstracts provides the full-text to about 65% of the articles indexed
or Online databases Discrete bodies of information stored electronically: the Library's catalog, aka "OWL," InfoTrac, and the Boston Globe online The Library subscribes to a number of databases: FirstSearch, Dialog@Carl, and InfoTrac are the largest These databases contain searchable almanacs, journals, serials, directories, newspapers, and more Each database has its own search engine You cannot access these databases through a common search engine like Google or AltaVista
A collection of related information about a subject organized in a useful manner that provides a base of foundation for procedures such as retrieving information, drawing conclusions, and making decisions
The entire collection of information stored in the computer in machine-readable form; e g , the patron database includes all of the information needed to identify a patron such as name, address, and telephone number
A collection of related information stored electronically where it can be manipulated, searched and added to