1.3. The Relational Model
Relational databases use the relational data model popularized by E. F. Codd and C. J. Date. The relational model represents data as entities. An entity is a real-world object, such as a customer or an order. Each entity is represented by a row in a table. Rows are referred to as tuples and consist of a series of attributes (columns). Entities have state, which consists of the values of the attributes (columns). Each column has a single value drawn from a domain of appropriate values.
Most relational databases have the concept of a distinct type, usually a restriction of a simple type such as integer, which comes close to (but does not exactly correspond to) SQL-99's definition of a domain of values. An example of a ...
Become an O’Reilly member and get unlimited access to this title plus top books and audiobooks from O’Reilly and nearly 200 top publishers, thousands of courses curated by job role, 150+ live events each month,
and much more.
Read now
Unlock full access