Lecture 4 Relational Data Model in DBMS
Lecture 4 Relational Data Model in DBMS
DATA MODEL IN
DBMS:
Concepts, Constraints, Example
WHAT IS RELATIONAL
MODEL
The relational model represents the database as a collection of relations. A relation is nothing
but a table of values. Every row in the table represents a collection of related data values.
These rows in the table denote a real-world entity or relationship.
The table name and column names are helpful to interpret the meaning of values in each row.
The data are represented as a set of relations. In the relational model, data are stored as tables.
However, the physical storage of the data is independent of the way the data are logically
organized.
Some popular Relational Database management systems are:
DB2 and Informix Dynamic Server - IBM
Oracle and RDB – Oracle
SQL Server and Access - Microsoft
IN THIS TUTORIAL, YOU WILL LEARN
Relational Integrity constraints is referred to conditions which must be present for a valid
relation. These integrity constraints are derived from the rules in the mini-world that the
database represents.
There are many types of integrity constraints. Constraints on the Relational database
management system is mostly divided into three main categories are:
1. Domain constraints
2. Key constraints
3. Referential integrity constraints
DOMAIN CONSTRAINTS
Domain constraints can be violated if an attribute value is not appearing in the corresponding
domain or it is not of the appropriate data type.
Domain constraints specify that within each tuple, and the value of each attribute must be
unique. This is specified as data types which include standard data types integers, real
numbers, characters, Booleans, variable length strings, etc.
Example:
Create DOMAIN CustomerName
CHECK (value not NULL)
The example shown demonstrates creating a domain constraint such that CustomerName is not
NULL
KEY CONSTRAINTS
An attribute that can uniquely identify a tuple in a relation is called the key of the table. The
value of the attribute for different tuples in the relation has to be unique.
Example:
In the given table, CustomerID is a key attribute of Customer Table. It is most likely to have a
single key for one customer, CustomerID =1 is only for the CustomerName =" Google".
Simplicity: A relational data model is simpler than the hierarchical and network model.
Structural Independence: The relational database is only concerned with data and not with a
structure. This can improve the performance of the model.
Easy to use: The relational model is easy as tables consisting of rows and columns is quite
natural and simple to understand
Query capability: It makes possible for a high-level query language like SQL to avoid
complex database navigation.
Data independence: The structure of a database can be changed without having to change any
application.
Scalable: Regarding a number of records, or rows, and the number of fields, a database should
be enlarged to enhance its usability.
DISADVANTAGES OF USING RELATIONAL
MODEL
Few relational databases have limits on field lengths which can't be exceeded.
Relational databases can sometimes become complex as the amount of data grows, and the
relations between pieces of data become more complicated.
Complex relational database systems may lead to isolated databases where the information
cannot be shared from one system to another.
SUMMARY
The Relational database model represents the database as a collection of relations (tables)
Attribute, Tables, Tuple, Relation Schema, Degree, Cardinality, Column, Relation instance, are some
important components of Relational Model
Relational Integrity constraints are referred to conditions which must be present for a valid relation
Domain constraints can be violated if an attribute value is not appearing in the corresponding domain or
it is not of the appropriate data type
Insert, Select, Modify and Delete are operations performed in Relational Model
The relational database is only concerned with data and not with a structure which can improve the
performance of the model
Advantages of relational model is simplicity, structural independence, ease of use, query capability, data
independence, scalability.
Few relational databases have limits on field lengths which can't be exceeded.