The document defines and discusses databases. It states that a database is a collection of interrelated data stored together to serve multiple applications. It also defines a database management system as a computer-based record keeping system. The document notes that databases overcome limitations of typical file processing systems like data redundancy, inconsistency, inability to share data, lack of standardization and insecure data. It discusses the advantages of databases like reduced redundancy, controlled inconsistency, shared data, standardized data, secured data and integrated data. Finally, it provides an overview of database design levels from external views to the conceptual and physical levels.