Final answer:
Data warehouses are for storing historical data with a focus on analysis, while operational databases hold current data for daily transactions.
Step-by-step explanation:
The very basic difference between data warehouses and operational databases is that data warehouses store historical data, while operational databases store current data. Data warehouses integrate data from various sources and are optimized for complex queries and analytical reporting. In contrast, operational databases, also known as OLTP (Online Transaction Processing) systems, are optimized for real-time, transactional processing and to support the day-to-day operations of an organization.