A Data Model in Database Management System (DBMS), is the concept of tools that are developed to

summarize the description of the database.

It is classified into 3 types:

1. Conceptual Data Model :

Conceptual data model, describes the database at a very high level and is useful to understand the needs or
requirements of the database. It is this model, that is used in the requirement gathering process i.e., before the
Database Designers start making a particular database. One such popular model is the entity/relationship
model (ER model). The E/R model specializes in entities, relationships and even attributes which are used by
the database designers. In terms of this concept, a discussion can be made even with non-computer
science(non-technical) users and stakeholders, and their requirements can be understood.

2. Representational Data Model :

This type of data model is used to represent only the logical part of the database and does not represent the
physical structure of the databases. The representational data model allows us to focus primarily, on the design
part of the database. A popular representational model is Relational model.

3. Physical Data Model :

Ultimately, all data in a database is stored physically on a secondary storage device such as discs and tapes.
This is stored in the form of files, records and certain other data structures. It has all the information of the
format in which the files are present and the structure of the databases, presence of external data structures and
their relation to each other.

What is Data Modelling?

Data modeling (data modelling) is the process of creating a data model for the data to be stored in a
database. This data model is a conceptual representation of Data objects, the associations between different
data objects, and 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 Models in DBMS

The Data Model is defined as an abstract model that organizes data description, data semantics, and
consistency constraints of data. The data model emphasizes on what data is needed and how it should be
organized instead of what operations will be performed on data. Data Model is like an architect’s building
plan, which helps to build conceptual models and set a relationship between data items.

The two types of Data Modeling Techniques are

1. Entity Relationship (E-R) Model

2. UML (Unified Modelling Language)

Why use Data Model?

The primary goal of using data model are:

 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.
 A data model helps design the database at the conceptual, physical and logical levels.
 Data Model structure helps to define the relational tables, primary and foreign keys and stored
procedures.
 It provides a clear picture of the base data and can be used by database developers to create a physical
database.
 It is also helpful to identify missing and redundant data.
 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.

Types of Data Models in DBMS

Types of Data Models: There are mainly three different types of data models: conceptual data models, logical
data models, and physical data models, and each one has a specific purpose. The data models are used to
represent the data and how it is stored in the database and to set the relationship between data items.

1. Conceptual Data Model: This Data Model defines WHAT the system contains. This model is
typically created by Business stakeholders and Data Architects. The purpose is to organize, scope and
define business concepts and rules.
2. Logical Data Model: Defines HOW the system should be implemented regardless of the DBMS. This
model is typically created by Data Architects and Business Analysts. The purpose is to developed
technical map of rules and data structures.
3. Physical Data Model: This Data Model describes HOW the system will be implemented using a
specific DBMS system. This model is typically created by DBA and developers. The purpose is actual
implementation of the database.

Conceptual Data Model

A Conceptual Data Model is an organized view of database concepts and their relationships. The purpose of
creating a conceptual data model is to establish entities, their attributes, and relationships. In this data
modeling level, there is hardly any detail available on the actual database structure. Business stakeholders and
data architects typically create a conceptual data model.

The 3 basic tenants of Conceptual Data Model are

 Entity: A real-world thing

 Attribute: Characteristics or properties of an entity
 Relationship: Dependency or association between two entities

Data model example:

 Customer and Product are two entities. Customer number and name are attributes of the Customer
entity
 Product name and price are attributes of product entity
 Sale is the relationship between the customer and product

Conceptual Data Model

Characteristics of a conceptual data model

 Offers Organisation-wide coverage of the business concepts.

 This type of Data Models are designed and developed for a business audience.
 The conceptual model is developed independently of hardware specifications like data storage
capacity, location or software specifications like DBMS vendor and technology. The focus is to
represent data as a user will see it in the “real world.”

Conceptual data models known as Domain models create a common vocabulary for all stakeholders by
establishing basic concepts and scope.

Logical Data Model

The Logical Data Model is used to define the structure of data elements and to set relationships between
them. The logical data model adds further information to the conceptual data model elements. The advantage
of using a Logical data model is to provide a foundation to form the base for the Physical model. However, the
modeling structure remains generic.

Logical Data Model

At this Data Modeling level, no primary or secondary key is defined. At this Data modeling level, you need to
verify and adjust the connector details that were set earlier for relationships.

Characteristics of a Logical data model

 Describes data needs for a single project but could integrate with other logical data models based on
the scope of the project.
 Designed and developed independently from the DBMS.
 Data attributes will have datatypes with exact precisions and length.
 Normalization processes to the model is applied typically till 3NF.

Physical Data Model

A Physical Data Model describes a database-specific implementation of the data model. It offers database
abstraction and helps generate the schema. This is because of the richness of meta-data offered by a Physical
Data Model. The physical data model also helps in visualizing database structure by replicating database
column keys, constraints, indexes, triggers, and other RDBMS features.

Physical Data Model

Characteristics of a physical data model:

  The physical data model describes data need for a single project or application though it maybe
integrated with other physical data models based on project scope.
 Data Model contains relationships between tables that which addresses cardinality and nullability of
the relationships.
 Developed for a specific version of a DBMS, location, data storage or technology to be used in the
project.
 Columns should have exact datatypes, lengths assigned and default values.
 Primary and Foreign keys, views, indexes, access profiles, and authorizations, etc. are defined.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Data Model:

Advantages of Data model:

 The main goal of a designing data model is to make certain that data objects offered by the functional
team are represented accurately.
 The data model should be detailed enough to be used for building the physical database.
 The information in the data model can be used for defining the relationship between tables, primary
and foreign keys, and stored procedures.
 Data Model helps business to communicate the within and across organizations.
 Data model helps to documents data mappings in ETL process
 Help to recognize correct sources of data to populate the model

Disadvantages of Data model:

 To develop Data model one should know physical data stored characteristics.
 This is a navigational system produces complex application development, management. Thus, it
requires a knowledge of the biographical truth.
 Even smaller change made in structure require modification in the entire application.
 There is no set data manipulation language in DBMS.

Conclusion
 Data modeling is the process of developing data model for the data to be stored in a Database.
 Data Models ensure consistency in naming conventions, default values, semantics, security while
ensuring quality of the data.
 Data Model structure helps to define the relational tables, primary and foreign keys and stored
procedures.
 There are three types of conceptual, logical, and physical.
 The main aim of conceptual model is to establish the entities, their attributes, and their relationships.
 Logical data model defines the structure of the data elements and set the relationships between them.
 A Physical Data Model describes the database specific implementation of the data model.
 The main goal of a designing data model is to make certain that data objects offered by the functional
team are represented accurately.
 The biggest drawback is that even smaller change made in structure require modification in the entire
application.
 Reading this Data Modeling tutorial, you will learn from the basic concepts such as What is Data
Model? Introduction to different types of Data Model, advantages, disadvantages, and data model
example.