Chapter 2

The Relational Model

Introduction
The Relational Database Management System
(RDBMS) has become the dominant data
processing software in use today.
The software represents the second generation of
DBMSs and based on the relational model proposed
by E.F. Codd (1970)

In the relational model, all data is logically

structured
within
relations(tables).
Each
relation has a name and is made up of named
attributes (column) of data. Each tuple (row)
contains one value per attribute.
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Continue
A great strength of the relational model is this
simple logical structure.
Relational models Objectives:
To allow high degree of independence. Application
programs must not be affected by modification to the
internal data representation, particularly changes to
file organization, record orderings or access paths.
To provide substantial grounds for dealing with data
semantics, consistency, and redundancy problems.
To enable the expansion of set-oriented data
manipulation languages.

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Terminology
Relation a table with columns and row.
Attribute named column of a relation.
In the relational model, relation are used to
hold information about the objects to be
represented in the database.
An attribute can appear in any order and still
the relation will be the same.

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Kendall & Kendall

Copyright 2002 by Prentice Hall, Inc.

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Terminology
Domain the set of allowable values for one
or more attributes.
Tuple a row of a relation
Degree the number of attributes it contains.
Cardinality the number of tuples it contains.
Relational database collection of normalized
relations with distinct relations named.

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Alternative terminology
Formal terms

Alternative 1

Alternative 2

Relation

Table

File

Tuple

Row

Record

Attribute

Column

field

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Relational Keys
Primary key a candidate key that
is selected to identify tuples
uniquely within the relation.
Foreign key an attribute, or set of
attribute, within one relation that
matches the candidate key of
some relation.
Kendall & Kendall

Copyright 2002 by Prentice Hall, Inc.

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