What Is a Data Store? Explained Here!
What is a data store? Many people hold this question and sometimes, you can see this folder named datastore in File Explorer. So, is that the same thing?
We can explain the datastore folder to you. The datastore folders are typically created by some software or application to store their data. For example, some database tools or programming languages can create datastore folders to store data, profiles, logs, and so on for applications or websites.
In a collaborative development environment, development teams can use datastore folders to store shared data, such as source code, documents, images, and so on. At the same time, they can take advantage of version control tools, such as Git, to manage and control datastore folders.
It is important to note that the file format and storage of datastore folders created by different software and applications may differ. Datastore folders should generally not be manually modified, moved, or deleted, as this may result in data loss or application crashes.
Why Is Data Store So Important?
As we have mentioned above, data store can save information about your system and applications, which means with your storage devices, all the data can be protected well even when the device power is off.
You can access and retrieve those important data but carefully manage them because any modifications can result in system or program crashes. Apart from that, data store has many other uses, such as data retrieval, data analytics, data backup, disaster recovery, etc.
Many people will confuse the meaning of data stores with data warehouse or database. Here we will give a simple comparison.
Database means a collection of data, that is structured to facilitate the storage, retrieval, modification, and deletion of data with some related operations. Data warehouse is a type of data management system designed to enable and support some activities.
Back up Your Data with MiniTool ShadowMaker
With its important functions in computing, we highly recommend that you back up your important data regularly. Even though your data store can keep your data for a long time, any mistaken operation or outside attacks can cause data loss.
Now, don’t worry. MiniTool ShadowMaker, free backup software, has figured out a data backup strategy with higher flexibility and security. You can use the program to backup files, folders, systems, partitions, and disks. Besides, it provides Clone Disk to perform a sector by sector cloning.
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Different Types of Data Store
As for data store, users will need their storage devices so that the process can proceed well. The devices mainly come in two categories, including direct area storage and network-based storage.
Direct Area Storage
It is also can be called direct-attached storage. It is a type of storage device that is attached directly to a computer without the help of a network, such as hard drives, solid-state drives, optical devices, and tape storage.
Network-Based Storage
This kind of storage device, connected to a network, allows storage and retrieval of data from a centralized location. The major types of network-based storage include SAN and NAS; the first one can use Ethernet and Fibre Channel and the latter one is Ethernet-based.
Apart from the above two major classifications of data stores, we have other categories classified in a detailed way.
SSD Flash Drive
Flash storage belongs to a solid-state drive using flash memory chips for writing and storing data.
Hybrid Flash Storage
This type of data store can integrate the benefits of both flash memory drives and hard disk drives. This method can give reasonable performance costs and fast data access, offering an economical way to transition from traditional HDDs.
Cloud Storage
Cloud storage is a cloud computing model that enables storing data and files on the Internet. It is usually maintained by a third-party platform, a cloud computing provider, by which you can access either through the public internet or a dedicated private network connection.
Hybrid Cloud Storage
Hybrid cloud storage is an approach to managing cloud storage that uses both local and off-site resources. This kind of storage can add a layer of safety to ensure data is protected and available, and storage space could potentially be unlimited.
Backup Software and Appliances
Data backup devices can protect your data from a data disaster, failure, or fraud. Its appliances are not restricted, ranging from HDDs and SSDs to tape drives to servers. Besides, the storage can also be offered as a service.
Bottom Line:
Now, we have explained what data store is and guided you on how to protect your data in storage devices. We still stress the significance of data backup and it is closely related to your data security and integrity. Hope this article has resolved your concerns.
About The Author
Position: Columnist
Anna is an editor of the MiniTool Team. She worked in this big family since her graduation. Her articles mainly focus on data backup and recovery, disk cloning, and file syncing, committed to resolving the data loss issues users may encounter on their PCs. Besides, more related computer articles are shared here. In her leisure time, she enjoys reading and watching movies. Travel can also be a good choice for her.