Databases

Topic 5:
The Relational Model 1

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Scope and Coverage

This topic will cover:
Aims of the relational model
Basic concepts of the relational model
Terminology

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Learning Outcomes
By the end of this topic, students will be able to:
Understand the aims of the relational model
Understand the basic concepts of the relational
model
Define key terms of the relational model

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Background to Relational Model

Dominates the market in databases
Second generation of DBMSs
Developed by E.F. Codd in 1970
In the relational model, all data is logically
structured in relations.
Relations can be thought of as tables.

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Do not confuse relations with

relationships in ER models

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History Theoretical Basis

E. F. Codds 1970 paper A relational model of data
for large shared data banks
- There should be a high degree of data
independence.
- There should be a minimum of redundancy:
relations should be normalised.
- There should be a set-orientated data
manipulation language.

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Data Independence
Changes in the internal data representation,
such as file structure, storage and access paths
should not have an effect on the applications
programs.

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Normalised Relations
By having an underpinning in set theory, it is
possible to organise relations as sets so that there
is a minimum of data redundancy. This process is
known as normalisation.

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Set-Orientated Data Manipulation

Languages
Data can be manipulated by using set operations
since it will be organised in set-like relations.

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History Practical Developments - 1

System R. Developed by IBM in late 1970s

Development of the SQL Development of

(Structured Query Language) commercial database
systems
DB2; SQL/DS; Oracle

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History Practical Developments - 2

INGRESS. Developed by University of California in
late 1970s

The INGRESS commercial products

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History - Practical Developments - 3

Peterlee Relational Test Vehicle. Developed at
IBM UK in 1976

Theoretical insights into

Query Processing
Optimisation

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Terminology -1
Relation
Attribute
Domain
Null

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Attributes

Student ID First Name Last Name Course

Code
Relation

S334 Dave Watson COMP

S765 Jagpal Jutley COMP
S783 Cynthia Kodogo HIST
S111 Wallace Antigone LIT

Domain of valid course codes:

COMP, HIST, LIT etc.

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Terminology - 2
Tuple
Degree
Cardinality
Relational Database
Relational Schema

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Student ID First Name Last Name Course

Code

Cardinality
4 Tuples

S334 Dave Watson COMP

S765 Jagpal Jutley COMP
S783 Cynthia Kodogo HIST
S111 Walace Antigone LIT

Degree

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Alternative Terminology
Formal Term Alternative 1 Alternative 2

Relation Table File

Tuple Row Record

Attribute Column Field

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Properties of a Relation - 1
It has a name which is unique within the relational
schema.
Each cell of a relation contains exactly one value.
Each attribute has a name.
Each tuple is unique.
The order of attributes is insignificant.
The order of tuples is insignificant.

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Activity - Is This a Relation?

Student Name Modules Course
Guy Smith Med1 Medieval History History
1

Med2 Medieval History

2

TCE Twentieth Century

Sarah Anusiem OS Operating Systems Computing
12 New Street
Lagos NET Networks

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Properties of a Relation - 2
It has a name which is unique within the relational
schema - X
Each cell of a relation contains exactly one value -
X
Each attribute has a name YES
Each tuple is unique - YES
The order of attributes is insignificant YES
The order of tuples is insignificant - YES

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Now a Relation - Still Problems

Students
Student Address Modules Course
Name
Guy Smith Med1 Medieval History 1 History

Guy Smith Med2 Medieval History 2 History

Guy Smith TCE Twentieth Century History

Sarah Anusiem 12 New Street OS Operating Systems Computing

Lagos
Sarah Anusiem 12 New Street NET Networks Computing
Lagos

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Students
Turned into a Student ID Name Address Course
set of normalised
28 Guy Smith History
relations...
23 Sarah 12 New Street Computing
Anusiem Lagos

Student Modules
Student ID Modules Code
Modules
28 Net
Module Code Name
23 Med 1 Med1 Medieval History 1
28 OS OS Operating Systems

23 Med 2 Med2 Medieval History 2

NET Networks
TCE Twentieth Century
History

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Student ID Name Address Course

Keys...
28 Guy Smith History

23 Sarah 12 New Street Computing

Anusiem Lagos

Student ID Modules Code

28 Net Primary keys

23 Med 1 Module Code Name

28 OS Med1 Medieval History 1

23 Med 2 OS Operating Systems

Med2 Medieval History 2
NET Networks
TCE Twentieth Century
History

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Student ID Name Address Course

Keys...
28 Guy Smith History

23 Sarah 12 New Street Computing

Foreign keys Anusiem Lagos

Student Modules Code

ID Module Code Name

28 Net Med1 Medieval History 1

OS Operating
23 Med 1
Systems
28 OS Med2 Medieval History 2
23 Med 2 NET Networks
TCE Twentieth Century
History

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Normalisation
This process of moving from data that is not in a
relational form, to a relation, and finally to a set of
ideal relations is known as normalisation.

We will be exploring normalisation more in the next

session...

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Key Concepts Needed for Next

Session

Primary key
Super key
Candidate key
Foreign key

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Learning Outcomes Have We

Met Them?
By the end of this topic, students will be able to:
Understand the aims of the relational model
Understand the basic concepts of the relational
model
Define key terms of the relational model

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References
Connolly, T. & Begg, C. (2004). Database Systems: A
Practical Approach to Design, Implementation, and
Management, 4th Edition. Addison Wesley. Chapter 3.
Codd, E. F. (1970), A Relational Model for Large
Shared Data Banks. Retrieved on 20/05/11 from:
http://www.seas.upenn.edu/~zives/03f/cis550/codd.pdf
McJones, P. (1995). Discussion of System R: The
1995 SQL Reunion, People, Projects and Politics.
Retrieved on 20/05/11 from:
http://www.mcjones.org/System_R/SQL_Reunion_95/

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Topic 5 The Relational Model 1

Any Questions?

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