In this chapter, the authors introduce databases, which are organized collections of data stored on computers. They discuss how databases are better than traditional file systems and explain the database development process using examples. By examining a sample database called CSE_DEPT, they show how to design a database structure efficiently by removing redundancies and errors. The chapter also explores the relational data model and the entity-relationship model, guiding readers through the concepts of database design. By understanding these fundamentals, developers can create well-structured databases that avoid problems like data duplication and inefficiencies, ensuring smoother data management and operations.