Data Models
Data Abstraction Levels
External Model
The external
model is the end users’ view of the data environment. The term end users
refers to people who use the application programs to manipulate the data
and generate information. ER diagrams will be used to represent the external
views. A specific representation of an external view is known as an external
schema.
Conceptual Model
A
conceptual model is graphically represented by an ERD. It integrates all
external views (entities, relationships, constraints, and processes) into a
single global view of the entire data in the enterprise. Also known as a conceptual schema
Internal Model
The
internal model requires the designer to match the conceptual model’s characteristics
and constraints to those of the selected implementation model.
Physical Model
The physical
model operates at the lowest level of abstraction, describing the way data
are saved on storage media such as disks or tapes.
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