Database model
A database model is a type of data model that determines the logical structure of a database and fundamentally determines in which manner data can be stored, organized, and manipulated. The most popular example of a database model is the relational model, which uses a table-based format.
Examples
Common logical data models for databases include:
Hierarchical database model
Network model
Relational model
Entity–relationship model
Enhanced entity–relationship model
Object model
Document model
Entity–attribute–value model
Star schema
An object-relational database combines the two related structures.
Physical data models include:
Inverted index
Flat file
Other models include:
Associative model
Multidimensional model
Multivalue model
Semantic model
XML database
Named graph
Triplestore
Relationships and functions
A given database management system may provide one or more models. The optimal structure depends on the natural organization of the application's data, and on the application's requirements, which include transaction rate (speed), reliability, maintainability, scalability, and cost. Most database management systems are built around one particular data model, although it is possible for products to offer support for more than one model.