relational data model

Synonyms

relational model

(Or "relational model") A data model introduced by E.F. Codd in 1970, particularly well suited for business data management. In this model, data are organised in tables. The set of names of the columns is called the "schema" of the table.

Here is an example table with the schema (account number, amount) and 3 lines.

 account number     amount
 --------------  ---------
 12343243546456  +30000.00
 23149875245824   +2345.33
 18479827492874    -123.25

The data can be manipulated using a relational algebra. SQL is a standard language for talking to a database built on the relational model (a "relational database").

["A relational model for large shared data banks" Communications of ACM 13:6, pp 377-387].