Relational_database Relational_database

Relational database - Definition and Overview

A relational database is a database based on the relational model. Strictly speaking the term refers to a specific collection of data but it is often used synonymously with the software that is used to manage that collection of data. That software is more correctly called a relational database management system, or RDBMS.

See also

Experimental Variations

Dynamic Relational (http://c2.com/cgi/wiki?MultiParadigmDatabase) extrapolates the concept of "dynamically-typed programming languages" to relational databases. It includes concepts such as on-the-fly column creation, on-the-fly table creation, and perhaps could double as an OODBMS if entity-designation is optional or not used. Every record has a unique "record ID" or "object ID" that could serve as a primary key if an entity-based one is not available. Typing for columns (designation as numeric, date, etc.) would be optional, but would be stored with the schema instead of per-cell if included. Columns could also be designed as "required" if needed. With enough specification (types, limits, etc.), it could act just like a traditional RDBMS if needed.

External links

This article was originally based on material from the Free On-line Dictionary of Computing, which is licensed under the GFDL.

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