Object-Oriented Database Design, Research Paper Example

Data models

The implication of database model is a type of specification that illustrate the structure and application of a database. A substantial number of database models exist which include the following:

The flat model

The flat model is also called the table model which has members in a specific column with similar values while members in a row share a common relationship (Jan, 2000).

The Hierarchical model

The arrangement of data in the Hierarchical model resembles the structure of a tree, thus each record comes as a single upward link. This therefore gives a description of a nesting coupled with a sort field that facilitates keeping records in a specific order at every same-level list.

The network model

Organization of data in the network model makes use of two basic constructs. These two constructs are named records and sets. Records are made up of fields while sets give a definition of a single -to-many relationships that exists among records (Jan, 2000).

The relational model

The relational model involves the type of database model that gives a description of any database in the form of a compilation of predicates involving fixed predicate variables that comes in sets, and gives a detailed account of constraints relating to potential values as well as value combinations (Beynon-Davies, 2004).

The object-relational model

The object-relational model shares common similarities to the relational model except for the fact that, the objects, the classes as well as inheritance are expressly propped up in the schemas of the database as well as in query language (Beynon-Davies, 2004).

The star schema

The star schema happens to be the most simple data model and it comprises of a small number of “fact tables”, in most cases only one, which is used to reference the “dimension table. The star schema has been taken as a special case in snowflake schema.

References

Beynon-Davies, P., (2004). Database Systems 3rd Edition. Palgrave, Basingstoke, UK.

Jan L. H., (2000). Object-oriented Database Design Clearly Explained. p.4