Network database model – Computer Business Research

Network Database Model

What is a Database Model?

                A database model is a structure or a format of a database.

There are three types of database model that is widely used:

1.)    Network Database Model

2.)    Hierarchical Database Model

3.)    Relational Database Model

Within a database there are three types of relationships they can have among them:

1.)    One-Many relationship

2.)    Many-Many relationship

3.)    One-One relationship

Definition of Network Database Model

            A network database model is a database model that allows multiple records to be linked to the same owner file. The model can be seen as an upside down tree where the branches are the member information linked to the owner, which is the bottom of the tree. The multiple linkages which this information allows the network database model to be very flexible. In addition, the relationship that the information has in the network database model is defined as many-to-many relationship because one owner file can be linked to many member files and vice versa.

History

            The network database model was invented by Charles Bachman in 1969 as an enhancement of the already existing database model, the hierarchical database model. Because the hierarchical database model was highly flaw, Bachman decided to create a database that is similar to the hierarchical database but with more flexibility and less defaults. The original and existing hierarchical database has one owner file linked strictly to one member file, creating a ladder affect that restricted the database to find relationships outside of its category.

Network Database vs. Hierarchical Database Model

Network Database Model

Hierarchical Database Model

Many-to-many relationship

One-to-many relationship

Easily accessed because of the linkage between the information

Difficult to navigate because of its strict owner to member connection

Great flexibility among the information files because the multiple relationships among the files

 Less flexibility with the collection of information because of the hierarchical position of the files

Network Database vs. Hierarchical Database Model

 Network Database Model

Relational Database Model

The files are greatly related

Information is stored on separate tables tied together with other clumps of information

Advantages of a Network Database Model

–          Because it has the many-many relationship, network database model can easily be accessed in any table record in the database

–          For more complex data, it is easier to use because of the multiple relationship founded among its data

–          Easier to navigate and search for information because of its flexibility

Disadvantage of a Network Database Model

–          Difficult for first time users

–          Difficulties with alterations of the database because when information entered can alter the entire database

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