ASSIGNMENT ON SWD 312: DATABASE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM
Name:: Areh Samuel Dubem
Class:: Software and web Development
REG NO:: HND/ 0019
Course:: SWD 312 COMPUTER ARCHITECHTURE
Database Management System Concepts Explained:
1. Network Data Model:
Definition: The Network Data Model is a database model that represents data in a graph-like
structure, where entities are connected in a network of relationships. It was developed to
overcome some limitations of the hierarchical model.
Explanation:
o Records and Sets: In the network model, data is organized into records and sets. Records
are entities, and sets define relationships between records.
o Parent-Child Relationships: Records are connected in a many-to-many relationship through
sets. Each record can have multiple parent and child records.
o Owner-Member Concept: Records can be owners (parents) or members (children) in
relationships, enabling complex data structures.
o Pointer-Based Structure: The network model uses pointers to navigate between records,
allowing for efficient traversal of interconnected data.
2. Hierarchical Data Model:
Definition: The Hierarchical Data Model organizes data in a tree-like structure where each
record has a single parent, except for the root which has no parent. It was one of the earliest
database models used to represent data.
Explanation:
o Parent-Child Relationships:Data is organized in a top-down structure with parent-child
relationships. Each parent can have multiple children, but each child can have only one
parent.
o Tree Structure: The hierarchical model resembles a tree, with a single root at the top and
branches extending downwards to leaf nodes.
o One-to-Many Relationships: The model is suitable for representing one-to-many
relationships between entities, where each parent can have multiple children but each child
has only one parent.
o Efficient Read Access: Hierarchical databases offer efficient read access, as navigating the
tree structure is straightforward and follows a predefined path.
Key Differences:
Network Model:
- Supports many-to-many relationships.
- Records can have multiple parents and children.
- Uses pointers for navigation.
- Allows for complex data structures.
Hierarchical Model:
- Follows a strict one-to-many relationship.
- Each child has only one parent.
- Organized in a tree-like structure.
- Efficient for read access but can be limiting for more complex data relationships.
Understanding these database models is crucial in designing efficient databases and querying data
effectively based on the structure and relationships within the database.
