Understanding the Relational Model

A relation is a mathematical concept that describes how elements of two sets relate to one another. A relational model has some basic characteristics:

  • Data is stored in tables, and only tables that relate to one another.

  • Operations on these tables yield only relations.

Everyone accessing the database views information as a table. A relational table consists of

  • A set of named attributes called columns. These columns represent the attribute of the object being represented.

  • A set of tuples or rows that describe one particular instance of the object.

The intersection of a row and column is typically referred to as a cell. Columns have domains or data types associated with them that limit the type of information stored ...

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