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A data model is an abstract representation of data used to describe the structure, organisation and relationships of the data in an information system or database. Data models are used to structure data in an understandable and systematic way to facilitate its management, storage and retrieval. It is an abstract representation of information that is independent of the actual implementation or technical realisation.
There are different types of data models:
Conceptual data models: These models provide a high-level, abstract view of data and their relationships. They help to understand requirements and business concepts and lay the foundation for the development of databases and information systems.
Logical data models: Logical data models are more detailed than conceptual models and describe the structure of the data, the entities, attributes and relationships in a way that is suitable for implementation in a particular database technology. They are independent of the technical implementation and focus on the data itself.
Physical data models: These models are specific to a particular database technology and describe how the data is stored at the physical level in the database. They consider aspects such as storage types, indices and performance characteristics.
Data models can be created using modelling tools such as entity relationship diagrams (ER diagrams), Unified Modelling Language (UML) or even in text form. They are used to document the data structure, improve communication between different stakeholders and ensure that data can be managed efficiently and consistently.
In practice, data models are often used as a basis for the development of databases and information systems. They enable data to be organised in a way that meets an organisation's needs and business processes while ensuring data integrity, consistency and availability.