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Chapter 2 - Relational Data Model

The document provides an overview of key concepts in the relational database model. It discusses how the relational model views data logically through tables rather than physically, and how tables are composed of rows and columns. The three main points covered are that the relational model offers a logical view of data through tables, relations are implemented as tables with rows and columns, and that relations use keys to uniquely identify rows and enforce integrity through foreign keys.

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Divesha Ravi
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© © All Rights Reserved
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Download as PPT, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
50 views

Chapter 2 - Relational Data Model

The document provides an overview of key concepts in the relational database model. It discusses how the relational model views data logically through tables rather than physically, and how tables are composed of rows and columns. The three main points covered are that the relational model offers a logical view of data through tables, relations are implemented as tables with rows and columns, and that relations use keys to uniquely identify rows and enforce integrity through foreign keys.

Uploaded by

Divesha Ravi
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PPT, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Database Systems: Design,

Implementation, and
Management
Eighth Edition

The Relational Database Model


Objectives

• In this chapter, you will learn:


– That the relational database model offers a
logical view of data
– About the relational model’s basic component:
relations
– That relations are logical constructs composed
of rows (tuples) and columns (attributes)
– That relations are implemented as tables in a
relational DBMS

Database Systems, 8th Edition 2


A Logical View of Data

• Relational model
– View data logically rather than physically
• Table
– Structural and data independence
– Resembles a file conceptually
• Relational database model easier to
understand than hierarchical and network
models

Database Systems, 8th Edition 3


Tables and Their Characteristics

• Logical view of relational database based on


relation
– Relation thought of as a table
• Table: two-dimensional structure composed of
rows and columns
– Persistent representation of logical relation
• Contains group of related entities = an entity
set

Database Systems, 8th Edition 4


Database Systems, 8th Edition 5
Database Systems, 8th Edition 6
Keys
• Each row in a table must be uniquely
identifiable
• Key is one or more attributes that determine
other attributes
• Key’s role is based on determination
– If you know the value of attribute A, you can
determine the value of attribute B
• Functional independence:
– Attribute B functionally dependent on A if all
rows in table that agree in value for A also
agree in value for B
Database Systems, 8th Edition 7
Keys (continued)
• Composite key
– Composed of more than one attribute
• Key attribute
– Any attribute that is part of a key

Database Systems, 8th Edition 8


Keys (continued)
• Nulls:
– No data entry
– Not permitted in primary key
– Should be avoided in other attributes
– Can represent
• An unknown attribute value
• A known, but missing, attribute value
• A “not applicable” condition

Database Systems, 8th Edition 9


Keys (continued)
• Nulls:
– Can create problems when functions such as
COUNT, AVERAGE, and SUM are used
– Can create logical problems when relational tables
are linked

Database Systems, 8th Edition 10


Keys (continued)
• Controlled redundancy:
– Makes the relational database work
– Tables within the database share common
attributes
• Enables tables to be linked together
– Multiple occurrences of values not redundant
when required to make the relationship work
– Redundancy exists only when there is
unnecessary duplication of attribute values

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Keys (continued)

• Foreign key (FK)


– An attribute whose values match primary key
values in the related table
• Referential integrity
– FK contains a value that refers to an existing
valid tuple (row) in another relation
• Secondary key
– Key used strictly for data retrieval purposes

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Database Systems, 8th Edition 17
Integrity Rules

• Many RDBMs enforce integrity rules


automatically
• Safer to ensure application design conforms to
entity and referential integrity rules
• Designers use flags to avoid nulls
– Flags indicate absence of some value

Database Systems, 8th Edition 18


The Data Dictionary
• Data dictionary
– Provides detailed accounting of all tables found
within the user/designer-created database
– Contains (at least) all the attribute names and
characteristics for each table in the system
– Contains metadata: data about data

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Database Systems, 8th Edition 21
Relationships within the Relational
Database
• 1:M relationship
– Relational modeling ideal
– Should be the norm in any relational database
design
• 1:1 relationship
– Should be rare in any relational database design

Database Systems, 8th Edition 22


Relationships within the Relational
Database (continued)
*will see on details in Chapter 4 (ERD)
• M:N relationships
– Cannot be implemented as such in the relational
model
– M:N relationships can be changed into two 1:M
relationships

Database Systems, 8th Edition 23


The 1:M Relationship

• Relational database norm


• Found in any database environment

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Database Systems, 8th Edition 25
Data Redundancy Revisited

• Data redundancy leads to data anomalies


– Such anomalies can destroy the effectiveness of
the database
• Foreign keys
– Control data redundancies by using common
attributes shared by tables
– Crucial to exercising data redundancy control

Database Systems, 8th Edition 26

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