database model

computer science

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The Information Architects of Encyclopaedia Britannica

Last updated

June 25, 2026

Quick Summary

In computer science, a database model is a way to organize and structure data within a database. Information management systems use databases to efficiently store, retrieve, and update data, which is permanently stored on disk devices.

There are several types of database models:
* Hierarchical Model: Records are linked in a treelike structure.
* Network Model: Allows for arbitrary linkages between record types.
* Relational Model: Data is organized into tables, where each row represents an entity and columns represent its attributes. This is the most popular model for database management systems (DBMS).12

A DBMS is software that manages the data and allows users to retrieve information. It handles issues like security, accuracy, and response time, especially in networked systems. Modern databases also include NoSQL and object-oriented approaches.13

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computer science
Information management
…hence the need for a database model emerges. Historically, three different types of database models have been developed to support the linkage of records of different types: (1) the hierarchical model, in which record types are linked in a treelike structure (e.g., employee records might be grouped under records describing…
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…hence the need for a database model emerges. Historically, three different types of database models have been developed to support the linkage of records of different types: (1) the hierarchical model, in which record types are linked in a treelike structure (e.g., employee records might be grouped under records describing…
Read More