5.4 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 i.e., (i) Spreadsheets, and (ii) Databases. Difference between both is provided in Table 5.7.
📊 Data TableScroll ↔
| 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 |
TIDBIT
Spreadsheets are good for small projects. Databases are better for big or multi- user data systems.