An Empirical Study of Database Models and Technologies

Use of database systems for storage and manipulation of business data was revolutionised by the introduction of the relational data model by Edgar Codd in 1970. Since then there have been numerous developments in the area of database modelling. Several new modelling technologies like Object Oriented, Semantic, and NoSQL have been invented. Some of them are having a significant impact in business data processing. However, the Relational Model still dominates the business world where the majority of database systems use it. The secret of the success of the Relational Model lies in its simplicity which businesses find easy to comprehend and work with. Relational Model is based on a simple concept of mathematical relations viewed as tables, which most people are familiar with. It does not mean that this technology is free from anomalies. It is well known that, as the business requirements change, relational databases require a lot of modifications, which are difficult to maintain. The competitors of Relational Modelling have their own problems, which seemingly, are more severe than those of the Relational Model. For example, the Semantic Model is conceptually difficult to comprehend much to the disliking of businesses who prefer to work with simple systems. Objected Oriented, although simple enough for businesses to work with, results in desperate Database Management Systems. In this article we shall carry out a comparative study of various database modelling, technologies and methodologies. Keywords—ERD, Class Diagrams, Ontology Charts, Relational, Object Oriented, Semantic, NoSQL, In-memory,