Operational databases are systems that effectively manage and manipulate data in real-time, often as part of an application's back-end infrastructure. Coursera's Operational Databases catalogue teaches you how to design, develop, and optimize these dynamic data management systems. You'll learn the principles of database design, efficient data manipulation techniques, and how to implement robust data integrity and security measures. Understand the role of databases in application development, gain practical knowledge on SQL, NoSQL, and NewSQL databases, and learn to handle complex transactions and real-time data processing. This skill will help you excel in roles such as database administrator, back-end developer, data engineer, or any IT professional dealing with real-time data management.