COMPUTER

Computer

Name of the Writer

Name of the Institution

Computer

Introduction

Numerous information managers still use spreadsheets to store data, although in a database, the data could be managed in a better way. There is a number of confusion regarding the differences between database and spreadsheet. The confusion starts from the fundamental similarity that the main function of both databases and spreadsheets is to accumulate and manipulate data. Even so, both databases and spreadsheet have few distinct advantages and disadvantages that describe their effectiveness as a tool of data management.

Discussion

Spreadsheet is basically intended to examine data and arrange list entries, and not for aw data storage for long duration. A spreadsheet must be used for number churching and storing of distinct record items. Programs of the spreadsheet give the way for maintaining the list, computing data and statistical data modeling. They also comprise functions of graphing that permit for data analysis and quick reporting. However, spreadsheet is comparatively user friendly, need little training to get on track, and have the privilege which the majority of data managers are, to some extent, proverbial with them (Thomas, Sicam & Channelle, 2009).

On the other hand, a spreadsheet program also has disadvantages to duplicate data repeatedly and frequently to keep it in detach data files, the lack of querying abilities and detailed sorting, the lack of ability to identify errors of data, and sharing breach among clients desiring to change or view data at the same time. In addition, spreadsheet is restricted to a limited number of records, and may need a large amount of space in hard-drive for storage of data.

It is best to employ database to store a large amount of raw data. This is chiefly factual in situations in which more than one user can share the information. Databases need no or little data duplication between tables ...