Data Modeling and Data Models

• Data modeling: It is a process of creating a data model for the data to be stored inaDatabase i.e.aconceptual representation of

• Data objects

• The associations between different data objects

• The rules.

• Data modeling helps in the visual representation of data and enforces business rules, regulatory compliances, and government policies on the data. Data Models ensure consistency in naming conventions, default values, semantics, security while ensuring quality of the data.

Data model emphasizes on (1) what data is needed and (2) how it should be organized instead of what operations need to be performed on the data.

• Data models: Simple representations of complex real-world data structures

  • Useful for supporting a specific problem domain

  • Model - Abstraction of a real-world object or event

Why use Data Model?

• The primary goal of using data model are:

1.Ensures that all data objects required by the database are accurately represented. Omission of data will lead to creation of faulty reports and produce incorrect results.

2.A data model helps design the database at the conceptual, physical and logical levels.

3.Data Model structure helps to define the relational tables, primary and foreign keys and stored procedures.

4.It providesaclear picture of the base data and can be used by database developers to createaphysical database.

5.It is also helpful to identify missing and redundant data.

6.Though the initial creation of data model is labor and time consuming, in the long run, it makes your IT infrastructure upgrade and maintenance cheaper and faster.

Importance of Data Models

• Are a communication tool
• Give an overall view of the database
• Organize data for various users
• Are an abstraction for the creation of good database