How do I create a database for my internship project?

If you want to keep things simple, try Microsoft Access. Just normalize your spreadsheet data first, then import it into Access. It's user-friendly, and it even helps you build queries without having to write SQL from scratch. It might not be the top-tier database solution, but it sounds like it'll serve your needs just fine.

Don't be intimidated! Setting up a database can be a great learning experience. If you're up for it, try tools like MySQL or PostgreSQL to get started. You'll probably need to learn some basics of SQL, but you might surprise yourself with how much you can accomplish! Plus, hey, failing can be part of the process!

You might not need ‘big data’ solutions for your situation—lots of datasets fit within a single machine's capacity. Look into tools like Datasette, which are designed for non-programmers to interface with SQLite databases easily. It can also convert spreadsheets into tables for you. Learning some basic SQL will help you out, but you could have a functional database with a little general guidance.

Think about whether you actually need a database. If your data isn't relational and can be managed effectively in spreadsheets, that might be a better option. It's easy to think you need a database just because you have data, but if organization is your only issue, maybe consider other alternatives!

Creating a database is definitely doable, but you need to have a clear design plan. You'll want a database server as well as a way to present the data, like a web server. Something like SQLite could work since it's portable and relatively simple to use. That said, it's important to involve someone with experience for a review, as it can become complex over time.