Data Model is a collection of concepts that can be used to describe the structure of the database.
Structure means data types, relationships, constraints etc.
DBMS allows a user to define the data to be stored in terms of a data model.
1. High-level data models
2. Low-level data models
3. Representational or Implementation data models
High-level Data Models
Use set of concepts to describe the database, where the
descriptions are close to user views. High-level data models are also known as
conceptual models.
In conceptual data modeling we use concepts like – entity, attributes, relationship etc.
Low-level Data Models
Give details about how the data is stored in a computers
(storage level details).
Representational/Implementation Data Models
This is in between high-level and low-level data models.
Here we represent the concepts described in conceptual
model using a specific structures like, networks, objects,
tables, trees etc.
Ex: Relational Model, NW Model, Hierarchical Model, Object
Model, Object relational model etc.
Relational Model
The central data description construct in this model is a relation,
which can be thought of as a set of records.
Schema
Description of data in terms of a data model is called a schema.
A relation schema specifies the name of the relation, fields, type etc.
eg:. Student (sid: string; name: string; age: integer)
every row follows the schema of the relation.
The following are some important representational data models (DBMS Specific)
1. Network Model
Though the basic structure is a record,
the relationships are captured using links.
The database can be seen as an arbitrary network of records connected by links.
Ex.: GE’s Integrated Data store (IDS), in Early 1960s
2. Hierarchical Model
The records containing data are organized
as a collection of trees. Ex.: IBMs IMS (Information Management System),
in late 1960s
3. Relational Model (early 1970s)
Data & relationships are captured as tables & keys.
Ex.: Oracle, IBMs DB2, MySQL, Informix, Sybase, MS Access, Ingress, MySQL etc.
The basic storage structure is a record.
4. Object Data Model
Objects created through object–oriented programs
can be stored in database.
Ex.: Object Store
5. Object Relational Model
Objects can be stores in tables.
Ex.: Oracle, Informix