When a citation is found, it usually is necessary to order the text separately or to visit a library or courthouse to review the full record. Some databases include a combination of bibliographic citations and full text. Directory or dictionary databases provide specific, limited information about a subject. The telephone directory is the classic example, but many product listings and professional directories follow the same general format. This type of database may also include some text about the company or product.
Numeric databases consist of tables or statistics.
Although numeric databases may also carry some text, their primary purpose is to provide statistical data. Sometimes a database producer or vendor will add value to a product by offering additional information not originally provided on a database or by merging several databases together. Alternatively, they may choose to split the data from one database into several, offering information products tailored to more specific needs, sometimes at a lesser cost than for the full database. The currentness of data may vary from one vendor to another. Some databases are updated daily, others weekly, monthly, or at longer intervals.