Transactional Database
A transactional database is a type of database management system designed to handle transactions—units of work that must be executed reliably and consistently, often following ACID (Atomicity, Consistency, Isolation, Durability) properties. It ensures data integrity by supporting operations like commits and rollbacks, making it ideal for applications requiring reliable data processing, such as financial systems, e-commerce platforms, and inventory management. These databases prioritize consistency and reliability over raw performance, typically using structured query languages like SQL for data manipulation.
Developers should use transactional databases when building applications that require strict data consistency, reliability, and support for complex queries, such as banking systems, online retail, or any scenario where data accuracy is critical. They are essential for handling operations where multiple steps must succeed or fail together to maintain data integrity, preventing issues like double-charges or inventory discrepancies. Learning this is crucial for roles involving backend development, data engineering, or systems where ACID compliance is a requirement.