5.7 Databases and Storing Data
After cleaning a messy survey table, there is a need to store the cleaned data in a proper format (either in a spreadsheet or a database), so that it is organized, searchable, and ready to analyze. Let us explore how and where to store data.
There are two main ways to store structured data:
- Spreadsheets
- Databases
The difference between both is provided in Table 5.7.
Table 5.7: Spreadsheets vs Databases
| Method | Description | Example Tool |
|---|---|---|
| Spreadsheets | A grid of rows and columns for small datasets | Excel, Google Sheets |
| Databases | A structured system to store and manage large data in tables | MySQL, SQLite |
lightbulbTidbit: Spreadsheets are good for small projects. Databases are better for big or multi-user data systems.