Real-Time Database

The term 'real-time database' two meanings. Firstly, the predominant use of the term refers to a database system which uses streaming technologies to handle workloads for which the state changes in real-time as a reflection of real-world events. This differs from traditional databases containing persistent data, mostly unaffected by time. In this context, real-time processing means that a transaction is processed fast enough for the result to come back and be acted on right away. Such real-time databases are useful for fraud detection, recommendation engines, audience targeting, and pricing strategies.

The other use of the term embodies a more strict definition of real-time. A hard real-time database system is one that is 'time cognizant' - it is aware of processing deadlines and offers transaction schedulers that enforce those deadlines. It is adaptable to varying workloads, changing deadlines and task priorities, so works equally well with both periodic and aperiodic tasks. This is the only type of database management system that, when used with a RTOS, is acceptable for use in mission-critical systems.