The spelling of the word "relational model" can be explained using the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA). "Relational" is pronounced as /rɪˈleɪʃənəl/, where the stress is on the second syllable. The "t" in "model" is pronounced as a voiceless dental fricative /θ/, while the stress is on the first syllable, making it /ˈmɒdəl/. The relational model in computer science is a database model used to represent a relational database, where data is represented as tables with rows and columns.
The relational model refers to a database management system (DBMS) that organizes and stores data as a collection of interrelated tables. It is a conceptual framework for representing and manipulating data in a structured manner. In this model, data is organized into tables, where each table consists of rows (also known as tuples) and columns. Tables in the relational model have a unique identifier known as a primary key, which uniquely identifies each row in the table.
The relational model allows for the establishment of relationships between tables through the use of common attributes. These relationships are defined through foreign keys, which are attributes in one table that refer to the primary key in another table. By establishing relationships between tables, data can be linked and retrieved in a meaningful way.
This model follows a set of rules known as normalization, which ensures data consistency and eliminates redundancy. It also supports various operations such as insertion, deletion, and modification of data through structured query language (SQL).
The relational model provides a simple and intuitive way to organize and manage data. It offers flexibility, scalability, and ease of use, making it widely adopted in the field of database management. It allows for efficient data retrieval, data integrity, and the ability to handle complex relationships between data entities.
The word "relational" in "relational model" originates from the adjective "relation", which has its roots in the Latin word "relatio". "Relatio" means a "carrying back" or "bringing back", and it pertains to the notion of connection or relationship between things.
In the context of the relational model in computer science, "relation" refers to a table or a set of data organized in rows and columns. The relational model was developed by Edgar F. Codd in the 1970s, and it is founded on the concept of relations or connections between data elements using common attributes or columns.
Therefore, the term "relational model" suggests a data model that emphasizes the relationships between different data entities or tables, facilitating the organization, manipulation, and retrieval of information based on those relationships.