Fundamentals of Relations
Explore the fundamentals of the relational model to understand how data is organized in tables called relations. Learn about core components such as attributes, tuples, and domains, and discover the essential properties that make a table a true relation. This lesson builds the foundation for effective database design and management.
We'll cover the following...
In our OnlineStore database, every product, customer, order, and supplier is stored in structured tables. To work effectively with this kind of data, we need a clear way to organize and relate information. This is where the relational model comes in—and at its heart lies the concept of relations.
In this lesson, we’ll dive into the fundamentals of the relational model.
By the end, we will be able to:
Understand what a relation is and its role in a database.
Identify the core components: tables, tuples, attributes, and domains.
Describe the essential properties that make a table a true relation.
Let’s get started on building this crucial foundation.
What is a relation?
At its core, the relational model offers a straightforward way to represent data in tables.
In database terminology, a relation is a two-dimensional table containing rows and columns. It’s the primary structure used to store and manage data in a relational database. This structure is important as it is predictable and organized.
It enables consistency and data integrity through well-defined formats.
When data is stored in a well-defined table, we can easily locate, manage, and connect ...