Question

The _ _ _ _ data model which makes it possible to organize data in a collection of records with fixed structure.

• A. Relational Data Model
• B. Network Data Model
• C. Hierarchical Data Model
• D. Object Data Model

Hint:

Whenever a question mentions tables, rows, columns, tuples, relations, or records having a fixed structure, the answer is generally the Relational Data Model.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

Concept: Data models in Database Management Systems (DBMS) define the logical structure of a database and determine how data is stored, organized, and manipulated.
• Relational Data Model: Introduced by E.F. Codd in 1970, this model represents data as a collection of relations (commonly referred to as tables). Each relation consists of rows (records/tuples) and columns (attributes). Every record in a relation follows the same predefined structure.
• Network Data Model: Organizes data using a graph-like structure in which records are connected through links, allowing complex many-to-many relationships.
• Hierarchical Data Model: Organizes data in a tree-like structure where each child record has only one parent record.
• Object Data Model: Represents information in the form of objects that contain both data and methods, following object-oriented principles.

Step 1: Understanding the meaning of “collection of records with fixed structure”. The question emphasizes that the data is organized as a collection of records and that each record follows a fixed structure. A fixed structure means that all records contain the same set of fields or attributes. For example, in a student table: \[ \text{Roll No.} \quad \text{Name} \quad \text{Class} \quad \text{Marks} \] every student record must contain these same columns. The structure remains identical for all records.

Step 2: Identifying the data model that uses fixed-format records. The Relational Data Model stores data in tables (relations). Each row represents a record, while each column represents an attribute. Since the schema defines the columns beforehand, every record must conform to the same structure. Therefore, the relational model naturally satisfies the requirement of maintaining records with a fixed structure.

Step 3: Eliminating the other options.
• The Network Data Model focuses on relationships between records rather than fixed tabular structures.
• The Hierarchical Data Model organizes records in a parent-child tree structure and is not specifically defined by fixed tabular records.
• The Object Data Model stores data as objects and is based on object-oriented concepts rather than fixed relational records. Therefore, the model that specifically organizes data into records having a fixed structure is the Relational Data Model. Hence, the correct answer is: \[ \boxed{\text{Relational Data Model}} \]