Database Differentiation Matrix
Part 1
Using the table below, choose five different data models, describe each model, describe the similarities and differences between the models, and describe the functions of each model. Your responses should total 1,050 to 1,400 words.
Data Model Description Similarities and Differences Function
Network Model This is a data model for data that is naturally modeled to have more than one parent per individual child. This model allows the modeling of multiple related data. It provides for many relationships.
The network model was defined during the Conference on Data Systems Languages, held in 1971. During the conference the model was discussed and approved as a data model.
In the network model, the basic unit is a set. The set is made up of a set name, the owner record type and member record type.
The multi relationships are conceptualized when a member record type has the same role in multiple sets. The main difference of the network model from other models is that there may be one to many and many to many relationships between the records.
It is similar to other data models since it is able to organize data into records and sets. Used where a flexible relationship between objects needs to be showcased.
Hierarchical Model The hierarchical model is a model that arranges data in a tree structure. There is one initial source, the parent, which can have many children. It is presented in a structure that resembles a tree. The only relationship that is represented in this data model is the one-to-many relationship. A child has only one parent, but a parent has several children, represented as branches off the parent in a diagram.
The representation of a hierarchical model is similar to a table, where records are equivalent to rows, while attributes are equivalent to columns.
The hierarchical model is the first model to be used by IBM in designing database systems.
Mappings for this model can be represented as 1: N, a representation for one to many.
Similar to the network model, one-to-many relationships are used. Meaning that a parent can have many children, but a child can only have on parent.
It is the only data model that uses the passing on of 1: N mappings.
This model was used in creation of databases by IBM before other data models were designed. It is used where flexibility is not needed in the design and implementation of a database system.
Object relational model It is a data model closely related to the relational model however it stands out by implementing object oriented concepts. This involves the use of inheritance and encapsulation among other concepts that are used in the object oriented design. It also entails use of classes and objects. This model supports data types which have been customized together with the use of methods.
This model assimilates characteristics of both relational model and object oriented model.
In this model, data is stored in a database, and using the query language, the data can be changed and stored in a new model. Similar to the relational model, data is stored in a database. The data which is stored in a database can be manipulated using a query language. Similar to object oriented model this model view a database as an object where programs written in object oriented languages are stored. The model is used to store data in a database, data which is changeable. Used where a model which integrates the relational model concepts with object oriented concepts.
Relational model This is a database management model which mathematically describes how data is structured. This model primarily bases its concepts on the first order predicate logic. It was designed and implemented first by Edgar Codd in 1969.
In this model, tuples is the term that is used to refer to data. Representation of data is in tuples. The data is also grouped into relations.
The main intention of using this model is to have the specifying data and queries declared in the model.
This way, a user can easily search for information in the database, by clearly stating what they require then let the software managing the database handle the process of retrieving the searched data item. This way a user has little input in the process of searching, only feeding a query and leaving the rest to the database management software.
This model is implemented mainly using the standard query language to define data and make searches through the database. In this model, records which are related are connected together using a “key”, unlike in other models.
The model has logic for dealing with searches, known as the three-valued logic, after a search, you either get a True, False or Null response to your query. This model is used where related data needs to be connected together in a database.
The model provides for three responses to any query, made, True, False or Null.
Flat file database This is a model is used to describe encoding methods that present database models as a single file.
In this model, there are no structural relationships between records. A binary file or a plain text file may be used to present a flat file.
The plain text files hold a single record per line. Data may be depicted in different ways, by use of commas to separate the values. Fields are also separated using commas. Using this may at times be time consuming because it takes a lot of time to locate the commas and tab spaces used any time the data is being processed. The flat file is only made of data.
It was the first model for designing a database to be used; it was first implemented by IBM. This model only contains data.
It does not offer any chances for relational models/ concepts. It was used for data storage where strictly only data was being stored. Provided the first database system.
Part 2
Using the table below, choose, describe, and compare five database design models. Your responses for Part 2 should total 1,050 to 1,400 words.
Database Design Model Description Comparison
Flat file database This is a model is used to describe encoding methods that present database models as a single file.
In this model, there are no structural relationships between records. A binary file or a plain text file may be used to present a flat file.
The plain text files hold a single record per line. Data may be depicted in different ways, by use of commas to separate the values. Fields are also separated using commas. Using this may at times be time consuming because it takes a lot of time to locate the commas and tab spaces used any time the data is being processed. The flat file is only made of data.
It was the first model for designing a database to be used; it was first implemented by IBM. This model only contains data.
It does not offer any chances for relational models/ concepts.
It was used for data storage where strictly only data was being stored. Provided the first database system
Network Model This is a data model for data that is naturally modeled to have more than one parent per individual child. This model allows the modeling of multiple related data. It provides for many relationships.
The network model was defined during the Conference on Data Systems Languages, held in 1971. During the conference the model was discussed and approved as a data model.
In the network model, the basic unit is a set. The set is made up of a set name, the owner record type and member record type.
The multi relationships are conceptualized when a member record type has the same role in multiple sets. The main difference of the network model from other models is that there may be one to many and many to many relationships between the records.
It is similar to other data models since it is able to organize data into records and sets.
Used where a flexible relationship between objects needs to be showcased.
Object relational model It is a data model closely related to the relational model however it stands out by implementing object oriented concepts. This involves the use of inheritance and encapsulation among other concepts that are used in the object oriented design. It also entails use of classes and objects. This model supports data types which have been customized together with the use of methods.
This model assimilates characteristics of both relational model and object oriented model.
In this model, data is stored in a database, and using the query language, the data can be changed and stored in a new model. Similar to the relational model, data is stored in a database. The data which is stored in a database can be manipulated using a query language. Similar to object oriented model this model view a database as an object where programs written in object oriented languages are stored.
The model is used to store data in a database, data which is changeable. Used where a model which integrates the relational model concepts with object oriented concepts.
Hierarchical Model The hierarchical model is a model that arranges data in a tree structure. There is one initial source, the parent, which can have many children. It is presented in a structure that resembles a tree. The only relationship that is represented in this data model is the one-to-many relationship. A child has only one parent, but a parent has several children, represented as branches off the parent in a diagram.
The representation of a hierarchical model is similar to a table, where records are equivalent to rows, while attributes are equivalent to columns.
The hierarchical model is the first model to be used by IBM in designing database systems.
Mappings for this model can be represented as 1: N, a representation for one to many. This model was used in creation of databases by IBM before other data models were designed. It is used where flexibility is not needed in the design and implementation of a database system.
Object relational model This is a database management model which mathematically describes how data is structured. This model primarily bases its concepts on the first order predicate logic. It was designed and implemented first by Edgar Codd in 1969.
In this model, tuples is the term that is used to refer to data. Representation of data is in tuples. The data is also grouped into relations.
The main intention of using this model is to have the specifying data and queries declared in the model.
This way, a user can easily search for information in the database, by clearly stating what they require then let the software managing the database handle the process of retrieving the searched data item. This way a user has little input in the process of searching, only feeding a query and leaving the rest to the database management software.
This model is implemented mainly using the standard query language to define data and make searches through the database. In this model, records which are related are connected together using a “key”, unlike in other models.
The model has logic for dealing with searches, known as the three-valued logic, after a search, you either get a True, False or Null response to your query.
This model is used where related data needs to be connected together in a database.
The model provides for three responses to any query, made, True, False or Null.
Using the table below, choose, describe, and compare three database management systems.
Database Management System Description Comparison
Relational Database Management System Also known as a Relational database management system. In this management system, database relationships are treated as a table. This management system consists of three keys, relation, domain and attributes. It contains all fundamental designs sets or records. In this system, sets have one to many mappings and a record contains fields. The data is stored in the computer memory as a two dimensional array, composed of rows and columns. An example is Microsoft SQL Server. This database management system can be used by untrained personnel. Modifications can be made on the entries without changing the entire body. They are much easier to manage.
Column values are a representation of the same thing.
Object orient database management systems This database management system is able to incorporate different data types. Audio and video, graphics and photos can be incorporated using this database management system. This is the most advanced database management system. This database management system can be used to store data which is from different media sources. Data can be stored in a multimedia format. Unlike other database management systems, in this management system, different data types can be stored. Multimedia data items can be stored in this database managing systems.
They are more costly to develop, du e to their complexity.
They can be implemented using special programs called methods.
Hierarchical database management system This database management system manages databases where the relationships among data is hierarchical such that one data item can have only one parent, however, a parent can have more than one child.
Records that are stored consecutively have direct relationships among them. An arrow cannot move backwards it only moves one-way while showing relationships among data. Here, unlike in other database management systems, a child can have only one parent, while a parent can have many children. This is a one to many relationships. This limits the flexibility of the data items in the database.
Answer the following:
What are the similarities and differences between database design models and database management systems?
Similarities between database design models and management systems are that they share similar basic concepts. A database that has been designed using one model can only be managed using a similar management system, for example a database that has been designed using the hierarchical design model can only be implemented using the hierarchical database management system. Similarly a database designed using the object oriented database design model can only be implemented using the object oriented database management system.
A difference between a database management system and a database design model is that the database management is software that is used to implement a database which has already been designed. The database is designed using a database design model. The database design model is used to design a database system while a database management system is used to implement the database.
References
Date, C. J. (1986). An introduction to database sytems (4th ed.). Reading, Mass.: Addison-Wesley.
McFadden, F. R., & Hoffer, J. A. (1991).Database management (3rd ed.). Redwood City, Calif.: Benjamin/Cummings Pub. Co..Rob, P., & Coronel, C. (2002). Database systems: design, implementation, and management (5th ed.). Boston, MA: Course Technology.
