CRUD is a term that is short for Create, Read, Update, Delete. It is related to how an application interacts with a database. But what's the purpose of CRUD, and how does it work? For data analysts that need to know, we're breaking down the basics of CRUD in this guide.
What is CRUD?
CRUD is a computer programming acronym that refers to the four functions required to develop a customizable storage application: create, read, update, and delete. Any data storage device, such as a hard disk or a solid state drive that keeps power after turning off, is called persistent storage.
On the other hand, random access and internal caching are instances of volatile memory, as they store data that they will destroy if the device loses power.
Data storage hardware and apps that enable permanent storage are required by organizations that maintain track of customer data, accounts, payment information, health data, and other records.
This information is usually stored in a database, a collection of data that can be accessed electronically. Databases come in various shapes and sizes, including hierarchical, graph, and object-oriented databases, to mention a few.
A relational database, which consists of data tabulated in rows and columns and related to additional tables with complementary data by a system of tag words that include primary keys and foreign keys, is the most often used database.
The CRUD abbreviation refers to all of the key functions that relational databases and the software that handles them have in common, such as Oracle Database, Microsoft SQL Server, MySQL, and others.
How CRUD Works
Tables with rows and columns make up a relational database. Each row in a table is referred to as a tuple or a record in a relational database. Each table column represents a particular property or field.
Users can use the four CRUD methods to execute various actions on specified data in the database. This might be done with code or with the help of a graphical user interface.
Let's take a closer look at each of the four components to see how important they are in enabling database interactions.
Create
Users can use the create function to add a new entry to the database. The Create function in the context of SQL is called INSERT. It's known as "create" in platforms like Oracle HCM Cloud.
Remember that a row is referred to as a record, and columns are referred to as attributes. A user can add new attributes to the table by creating a new row and populating it with data corresponding to each property. However, only an administrator may be allowed to add new attributes to the database itself.
Read
The read command is analogous to the search command. It lets users search for and read the values of individual rows in the table. Users may be able to discover required records by searching for them using keywords or filtering the data using specific criteria. A database of bikes, for example, would allow users to search for "2010 Schwinn 26 Inch" or give choices to limit search results by brand, model, and year.
Update
The update function makes changes to existing records in the database. Users may need to edit information in numerous fields to change a record completely. A restaurant, for example, may have a table with the characteristics "dish," "cooking time," "cost," and "pricing" that contains recipes for menu items in a database.
The chef chooses to replace one of the dish's ingredients with something new one day. As a result, the old database record must be updated, with all attribute values updated to match the new dish's features.
Delete
Users can take advantage of CRUD's "delete" capability to delete records from a database that is no longer needed. The delete function is accessible in SQL and Oracle HCM Cloud, and users can delete multiple records from their database.
Users can do a hard delete or possibly a soft delete in different types of relational database platforms, depending on which database system you use. A hard delete will completely delete entries from the database, but a soft delete updates the row status to reveal that it has been deleted while keeping the database contents intact.
Many applications that are backed by underlying relational databases employ CRUD procedures. These four fundamental CRUD operations may handle various crucial functions in several business models and industry verticals. Let's have a look at how CRUD is implemented in practice.
Benefits of CRUD
There are some benefits to using CRUD, including the following:
- Improved performance.
- Decoupling SQL code capabilities within applications.
- Preventing SQL injection attacks.
- More control over your database.
These benefits are the main reasons people use CRUD for their data visualization needs.
Difficulties Faced When Using CRUD
Querying a database, transforming data into visualizations and reports, and sharing data with user-level security are all part of BI. As a result, BI is frequently read-only. A client may want a user to edit, alter, create, or remove a BI tool in various situations.
They've seen records in the BI tool and wish to change the database. We don't encourage this since you don't want anything other than allowed or supported ways affecting your apps or database.
If you directly edit a database, you can invalidate your product support in some instances. When you construct or own a database, data integrity is a worry if items aren't added or modified appropriately. As a result, we don't always advocate utilizing CRUD to modify databases.
How Can DashboardFox Help in Using CRUD?
Well, the critical thing for DashboardFox is the R, read. As a BI tool, DashboardFox is entirely read-only.
We never write or update your database directly. And this is exactly how you want your BI tool to work.
DashboardFox doesn't need elevated privileges to query your database; it's a read-only user. And the key is NONE of your end users need any direct database access. DashboardFox isolated your users, so the only access to your data is via the DashboardFox interface (and its robust security).
One reason for this article is we often get asked by customers if DashboardFox can be used to update the database. The short answer is no. The extended answer is not directly. You can use powerful features in DashboardFox like our external target drill-down and API to seamlessly integrate with solutions that can update your database.
For example, from a DashboardFox report, you can present a link or drill down the field. Once clicked, DashboardFox can send all the data (visible and hidden) related to that record to a web page and pass all that info as parameters.
The web page can be a web form you've created, and all those parameters can pre-fill the form. Users can update the form, and the submit action on the form can properly and securely update the database.
And of course, the other good thing DashboardFox is here to help you with your woes in SQL and business intelligence in general. With DashboardFox, you can create unique and easy-to-understand forms of data visualization that will help you explain and understand to those concerned about what's going on in your company.
Do you need a chart? DashboardFox can do it for you. How about a pie graph? Let the Fox do the work. Even a detailed heat map? The Fox has got you covered.
Add to that DashboardFox's self-hosted structure that aims to protect the safety of your data, a one-time payment model (No. More. Subscriptions!), and a team of helpful individuals who can assist you with your day-to-day concerns while using DashboardFox, and you have a lifesaver in your business intelligence arsenal.
Our talk ends here, as we want the actions to speak louder than this. Book a live demo session for free, or reach out to us by setting a meeting. We'll be waiting.
How was our guide to using CRUD? Let us know what you think in the comments section below.