Data Models and Database Technologies: A Critical Comparison

Contents
LO1 Understand data models and database technologies................................................................2
1.1 Critically compare different data models and schemas.........................................................2
1.2 Critically discuss the benefits and limitations of different database technologies................6
1.3 Analyze different approaches to database design..................................................................7
References:....................................................................................................................................10
Table of Figures:
Figure 1: Hierarchical Database Model...........................................................................................2
Figure 2: Relational Database Model..............................................................................................3
Figure 3: Network Database Model.................................................................................................4
Figure 4: Object-Oriented Database Model.....................................................................................4
Figure 5: Database Schema.............................................................................................................5
Figure 6: Top down Method............................................................................................................8
Figure 7: Bottom up method............................................................................................................8

LO1 Understand data models and database technologies
1.1 Critically compare different data models and schemas
A database has the logical structure which includes constraints and relationship to determine the
process of access stored the data. The database model is used to show this logical structure. The
database models are represented by the diagrams. Here is the various data models are discussed
below:
 Hierarchical database model
 Relational model
 Network mode006C
 Object-oriented database model
Hierarchical database model: this model is used organize the data into a tree structure in which
the record has root and single parent.it is used to store physical database.
Figure 1: Hierarchical Database Model
Source: (Studynight, 2018)
Advantages:
 Used to merge a large amount of data
 Improve data sharing technique and manage the relationship between information
 Each parent has many children
Disadvantages:
 The representation and navigation system is complex

 Data independence and not support many to many relationships (Lucidchart, 2018)
Relational Database Model: it is used to organized data in two-dimensional tables and
maintains the relationship by saving a common field. It was introduced in 1970 by E.F Codd.
Figure 2: Relational Database Model
Source: (Studynight, 2018)
Advantages:
 Data independence and promoted structured independence
 Does not define data relationship and use multi-level dataset between relationships
Disadvantages:
 Data anomalies
 Required tanning to use effectively and flexibly (Studytonight, 2018)
Network Model: organized data into graph form and have more than one parent. Easy to access
the data and use many to many relationships.

Figure 3: Network Database Model
Source: (Studynight, 2018)
Advantages:
 Support multi-parent and improve data access
 Promoted data integrity and many to many relationships
 Support large amount of data
Disadvantages:
 Require to predefined the data relationship
 More complex and complicated (Arora, 2018)
Object-Oriented Database Model: represent a database a group of objects and reuse the
software elements with their features and methods. It used two types:
Multimedia database and Hypertext database (Lucidchart, 2018)
Figure 4: Object-Oriented Database Model