DBMS Database Models
A Database model defines the logical design and structure of a database and defines how data will be
stored, accessed and updated in a database management system. While the Relational Model is the most
widely used database model, there are other models too:
Hierarchical Model
This database model organises data into a tree-like-structure, with a single root, to which all the other data
is linked. The hierarchy starts from the Root data, and expands like a tree, adding child nodes to the
parent nodes.
In this model, a child node will only have a single parent node.
This model efficiently describes many real-world relationships like index of a book, recipes etc.
In hierarchical model, data is organised into tree-like structure with one one-to-many relationship between
two different types of data, for example, one department can have many courses, many professors and of-
course many students.
Network Model
This is an extension of the Hierarchical model. In this model data is organised more like a graph, and are
allowed to have more than one parent node.
In this database model data is more related as more relationships are established . Also, as the data is
more related, hence accessing the data is also easier and fast. This database model was used to map
many-to-many data relationships. This was the most widely used database model, before Relational Model
was introduced.
Entity-Relationship Model
Entity-Relationship (ER) Model is based on the notion of real-world entities and relationships among
them. While formulating real-world scenario into the database model, the ER Model creates entity
set, relationship set, general attributes and constraints.
ER Model is best used for the conceptual design of a database.
ER Model is based on −
Entities and their attributes.
Relationships among entities.
These concepts are explained below.
Relational Model
In this model, data is organised in two-dimensional tables and the relationship is maintained by storing a
common field.
This model was introduced by E.F Codd in 1970, and since then it has been the most widely used database
model, infact, we can say the only database model used around the world.
The basic structure of data in the relational model is tables. All the information related to a particular type
is stored in rows of that table.
Hence, tables are also known as relations in relational model.
Object-oriented Data Model
Object oriented data model is based upon real world situations. These situations are
represented as objects, with different attributes. All these object have multiple
relationships between them.
Elements of Object oriented data model
Objects
The real world entities and situations are represented as objects in the Object
oriented database model.
Attributes and Method
Every object has certain characteristics. These are represented using Attributes. The
behaviour of the objects is represented using Methods.
Class
Similar attributes and methods are grouped together using a class. An object can be
called as an instance of the class.
Inheritance
A new class can be derived from the original class. The derived class contains
attributes and methods of the original class as well as its own.
Example
An Example of the Object Oriented data model is:
Shape, Circle, Rectangle and Triangle are all objects in this model.
Circle has the attributes Center and Radius.
Rectangle has the attributes Length and Breath
Triangle has the attributes Base and Height.
The objects Circle, Rectangle and Triangle inherit from the object Shape.
Object-relational Data Model
An Object relational model is a combination of a Object oriented database model and
a Relational database model. So, it supports objects, classes, inheritance etc. just
like Object Oriented models and has support for data types, tabular structures etc.
like Relational data model.
One of the major goals of Object relational data model is to close the gap between
relational databases and the object oriented practises frequently used in many
programming languages such as C++, C#, Java etc.
