Choose a database for portability. Get a database to keep track of complex relationships between items or records. For example, if you are a storekeeper, you could query your database to learn how many widgets are currently on display, how many are stored in your stockrooms, how many have been sold within a certain time period, and whether it is time to reorder from the wholesaler. Microsoft Access and Claris FileMaker Pro are two of the more commonly used applications. Although database applications are easy to learn if you are doing simple tasks, the learning curve can be steep for more complex operations.
Some people make their livings manipulating complex databases.
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