data modelling

1 definition found

data modelling - Free On-line Dictionary of Computing (26 May 2007) :

  data model
  data modelling
  
     <database> The product of the database design process which
     aims to identify and organize the required data logically and
     physically.
  
     A data model says what information is to be contained in a
     database, how the information will be used, and how the items
     in the database will be related to each other.
  
     For example, a data model might specify that a customer is
     represented by a customer name and credit card number and a
     product as a product code and price, and that there is a
     one-to-many relation between a customer and a product.
  
     It can be difficult to change a database layout once code has
     been written and data inserted.  A well thought-out data model
     reduces the need for such changes.  Data modelling enhances
     application maintainability and future systems may re-use
     parts of existing models, which should lower development
     costs.
  
     A data modelling language is a mathematical formalism with a
     notation for describing data structures and a set of
     operations used to manipulate and validate that data.
  
     One of the most widely used methods for developing data models
     is the entity-relationship model.  The relational model is
     the most widely used type of data model.  Another example is
     NIAM.
  
     ["Principles of Database and Knowledge-Base Systems",
     J.D. Ullman, Volume I, Computer Science Press, 1988, p. 32].
  
     (2000-06-24)