Final answer:
Data types like string, numeric, date/time, and large value are used to store textual information, numbers, dates and times, and vast amounts of binary data or large texts, respectively. Handling and analyzing the immense volumes of data collected, such as by the Sloan Survey, necessitate advanced computer algorithms and supercomputers.
Step-by-step explanation:
Various data types are used to store different kinds of information in a database, including string, numeric, date/time, and large value data types.
- String data types are used to store text, which can include letters, numbers, and symbols. This type is suitable for names, addresses, and other textual information.
- Numeric data types are used to store numbers. These can range from integers (whole numbers) to floats (numbers with a fractional part) and are often used for calculations.
- Date/time data types are used to store dates and times, which can be essential for event scheduling, record keeping, and time-stamping transactions.
- Large value data types are designed to store large amounts of data, such as the 15 terabytes recorded by the Sloan Survey, comparable to the Library of Congress. These data types are well-suited for binary data or large text such as images, audio, video, or large documents.
Organizing and analyzing such large volumes of data requires sophisticated computer algorithms and supercomputers, indicative of the era of 'Big Data' in fields such as astronomy.