Data model

Overview of a data-modeling context: Data model is based on Data, Data relationship, Data semantic and Data constraint. A data model provides the details of information to be stored, and is of primary use when the final product is the generation of computer software code for an application or the preparation of a functional specification to aid a computer software make-or-buy decision. The figure is an example of the interaction between process and data models.[1]

A data model is an abstract model that organizes elements of data and standardizes how they relate to one another and to the properties of real-world entities.[2][3] For instance, a data model may specify that the data element representing a car be composed of a number of other elements which, in turn, represent the color and size of the car and define its owner.

The corresponding professional activity is called generally data modeling or, more specifically, database design. Data models are typically specified by a data expert, data specialist, data scientist, data librarian, or a data scholar. A data modeling language and notation are often represented in graphical form as diagrams.[4]

A data model can sometimes be 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.

A data model explicitly determines the structure of data; conversely, structured data is data organized according to an explicit data model or data structure. Structured data is in contrast to unstructured data and semi-structured data.

  1. ^ Paul R. Smith & Richard Sarfaty Publications, LLC 2009
  2. ^ "What is a Data Model?". princeton.edu. Retrieved 29 May 2024.
  3. ^ "UML Domain Modeling - Stack Overflow". Stack Overflow. Stack Exchange Inc. Retrieved 4 February 2017.
  4. ^ Michael R. McCaleb (1999). "A Conceptual Data Model of Datum Systems" Archived 2008-09-21 at the Wayback Machine. National Institute of Standards and Technology. August 1999.