A database is a structured collection of information that allows users to store, manage, and retrieve data efficiently. Think of it as a digital filing cabinet where you can organize various types of data, such as customer records, product details, or sales transactions. Databases use a system called Database Management System (DBMS) to help users interact with the data easily. Databases can be categorized into different types, such as relational databases and NoSQL databases. A relational database organizes data into tables, making it easy to establish relationships between different data sets. On the other hand, NoSQL databases are designed for unstructured data and can handle large volumes of information, making them popular for big data applications.