Types of Database Models

Here are the examples of different types of DBMS.

1. Hierarchical DBMS (Tree Structure)

• Structure: Data stored in a tree-like structure (Parent → Child relationship).
• Each child has only one parent, but one parent can have many children.
• Example:

  • Windows Registry

  • IBM Information Management System (IMS)

  • Organization structure example–

  • Principal
    ├── Teacher
    │ ├── Student1
    │ └── Student2

2. Network DBMS (Graph Structure)

• Structure: Data stored in a graph form with many-to-many relationships.
• Each child can have multiple parents.
• Example:

  • Integrated Data Store (IDS)

  • IDMS (Integrated Database Management System)

  • Airline reservation system (one flight has many passengers; one passenger can book many flights).

3. Relational DBMS (RDBMS)

• Structure: Data stored in tables (rows and columns).
• Relationships are defined using keys (primary, foreign).
• Example:

  • MySQL ✅

  • Oracle

  • MS SQL Server

  • PostgreSQL

  • Example Table:

        Row (Tuple or Record) – Horizontal set of information in a table.
       Field ( Column or Attributes)– Vertical set of information in a table.
       Cardinality– Total number of Rows in a table . Cardinality of above table is 1.
       Degree– Total number of column in a table. Degree of above table is 4 .

4. Object-Oriented DBMS (OODBMS)

• Structure: Data stored as objects, like in programming (object = data + methods).
• Used in real-time applications where complex data is stored.
• Example:

  • db4o (Database for Objects)

  • ObjectDB

  • Versant Object Database

  • GemStone/S

  • Example Use: Storing multimedia objects (images, videos, etc.) in software applications.

Components of DBMS