Data Model

A Data Model is a Model of the Relationships within a Dataset.

• AKA: Data Schema.
• Context:
  • It can be of a Data Model Type, such as a Relational Data Model or an Object-Oriented Data Model.
  • It can be:
    • a Conceptual Data Model.
    • a Logical Data Model.
    • a Physical Database Schema.
  • It can be a Data Record Schema.
  • It can be based on a Data Model Pattern.
  • It can be produced by:
    • a Data Modeling Task.
    • a Data Model Normalization Task.
• Example(s):
  • (Wikipedia, 2009) [1] (a Relational Data Model).
  • (Wikipedia, 2009) [2] (a Star Schema Data Model).
• See: Data Structure, Entity Relationship Model, Data Dictionary, Data Entity, Data Attribute.

References

2009

• (Wikipedia, 2009) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Data_model
  • A data model in software engineering is an abstract model that describes how data is represented and accessed. Data models formally define data elements and relationships among data elements for a domain of interest.
  • Data model explicitly determines the meaning of data, which in this case is known as structured data (as opposed to unstructured data, for example an image, a binary file or a natural language text, where the meaning has to be elaborated). Typical applications of data models include database models, design of information systems, and enabling exchange of data. Usually data models are specified in a data modeling language.
  • A data model can be sometimes referred to as a data structure, especially in the context of programming languages. Data models are often complemented by function models, especially in the context of enterprise models.
• http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/data_model
  • 1. (databases) A result of applying a data modeling to some particular application, using a database model such as relational.
  • 2. (databases) A database model, such as relational or hierarchical.
• DM Review A logical map that represents the inherent properties of the data independent of software, hardware or machine performance considerations. The model shows data elements grouped into records, as well as the association around those records.
  • The logical data structures, including operations and constraints provided by the DBMS to effectively process data; system used for the representation of data (the ERD, or relational model).
  • A representation of the specific information requirements of a business area; see also ENTITY RELATIONSHIP MODEL.
  • A representation of the data describing real-world objects and the relationships between the objects, independent of any associated process. A data model includes the set of diagrams for each view along with the meta data defining each object in the model. A complete data model may also include state transition diagrams depicting each major entity lifecycle and value chain analysis linking the data model to processes, roles, organizations, goals, applications and projects. See conceptual data model (CDM), enterprise data model, logical data model (LDM), physical data model (PDM), semantic data model (SDM). DAMA08

1999

• Michael R. McCaleb (1999). "A Conceptual Data Model of Datum Systems". National Institute of Standards and Technology. August 1999.