data model

A data model clarifies which information an application needs and what that information means. It identifies customers, orders and products, for example, along with their attributes and relationships. The team can agree on shared concepts before translating them into tables, documents or other forms of storage in a databaseGlossary · In briefdatabaseA database is a structured collection of data that software can store, retrieve and modify. A database management system controls access to that data.Read more.

What does a data model contain?

A model usually describes entities, attributes and relationships. A customer might have a name and email address, while an order has an order date and total amount. Their relationship specifies that an order belongs to a customer. Rules can also be part of the model, such as requiring an email address to be unique or an order to contain at least one product.

The level of detail depends on its purpose. A high-level model helps domain experts and developers agree on concepts. A technical model turns those concepts into specific fields, data types, keys and constraints for the chosen storage technology.

Data model and database schema

A data model and a database schema are closely related but different. The data model describes the meaning and relationships of data. The schema defines how a particular database stores it. The same data model can therefore lead to different database schemas.

A clear data model helps assess changes. If a customer needs multiple delivery addresses, it shows which relationships and rules must change. The model also provides a starting point for validation, APIsGlossary · In briefAPIAn API is a defined way for software to exchange data or call functions in other software without needing to know how that software works internally.Read more, reports and data integrityGlossary · In briefdata integrityData integrity means that data remains correct, complete and internally consistent, and changes only in permitted ways.Read more.