Database Models

Database Models

Essay discussing how the Relational Database Model has maintained its popularity despite newer model introductions to the market

Abstract

In this essay I will explain why the original concept of the relational database management system has been so enduring despite various new ideas being introduced onto the database model market such as the object-orientated model . I will first introduce the and give a brief history of the database model background . I will then discuss the characteristics of the relational model and finally I will effectively summarize my conclusions

and describe why the highlighted differences have made the relational model so popular

Database Models

Introduction

A relational database management system (RDBMS ) is a HYPERLINK "http /en .wikipedia .org /wiki /Database_management_system " \o "Database management system " database management system (DBMS ) that is based on a HYPERLINK "http /en .wikipedia .org /wiki /Relational_model " \o "Relational model " relational model i .e . a model that provides opportunities for links between tables

Similarly , a database management system can be described as one or more HYPERLINK "http /en .wikipedia .org /wiki /Computer_program " \o "Computer program " computer program s , ranging in size , which has a general purpose of managing a database . Certain operations that the DMBS performs include saving and editing the database . DBMS packages are used in the workplace and at home for accounting , computer systems stock checking etc

HYPERLINK "http /webopedia .internet .com /TERM /R /RDBMS .html " \l " \t "_blank " Relational databases require little or no assumptions about how data is related or how it might be extracted from the HYPERLINK "http /webopedia .internet .com /TERM /R /RDBMS .html " \l " \t "_blank database . Consequently , the same database can be seen from many different angles . Another significant feature of relational HYPERLINK "http /webopedia .internet .com /TERM /R /system .html " systems is that one database can be extended across more than one table . This is the major difference between relational and flat- databases , where each database stands on its own in its own single table

Such is their popularity , almost all large scale HYPERLINK "http /webopedia .internet .com /TERM /R /RDBMS .html " \l " \t "_blank database systems are now RDBMS . Some small businesses still use alternatives , however , but these designs provide less flexibility (in using HYPERLINK "http /webopedia .internet .com /TERM /R /query .html queries in particular

Relation in databases can be described by HYPERLINK "http /en .wikipedia .org /wiki /Codd 27s_12_rules " \o "Codd 's 12 rules Codd 's 12 rules . HYPERLINK "http /en .wikipedia .org /wiki /Edgar_F ._Codd " \o "Edgar F . Codd " Edgar F . Codd was one of the creators of the HYPERLINK "http /en .wikipedia .org /wiki /Relational_model " \o "Relational model relational model . His rules effectively summarize relational databases and set a standard for what is considered relational in database terms (Figure 1

Earlier models did not conform to all of Codd 's rules , so the term `relational database ' gradually came to describe faithful implementations of Codd 's rules . Examples include The HYPERLINK "http /en .wikipedia .org /wiki /PRTV " \o "PRTV " PRTV (1973-1979 ) and...