What type of database uses tables linked by relationships?

A relational database is designed to store data in structured formats, using tables that can be linked by relationships. This model allows for the organization of data across different entities while maintaining integrity and enabling complex queries. Each table in a relational database typically consists of rows and columns, where rows represent records, and columns represent attributes of those records.

The relationships between tables—such as one-to-many or many-to-many—are established through the use of keys, which can be primary (unique identifier for table rows) or foreign (references to primary keys in other tables). This structure facilitates efficient data retrieval and manipulation, ensuring that related data can be accessed and integrated seamlessly.

Understanding the relational database model is fundamental for working with systems that require normalized data and complex querying capabilities, making it a crucial component in traditional data management systems. Other types of databases, such as NoSQL databases, document databases, and key-value stores, follow different structures and may not support relationships in the same way, leading to differences in how data is organized, accessed, and manipulated.