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sqldatabasegenericsdatamodel

SQL - Alternatives to a generic datamodel


while studying, im struggling to find an answer to this question:

What is a generic datamodel?

Are there any alternatives to a generic datamodel, if so; which one would you recommend?

I've looked everywhere to find a decent answer, but i didn't find it. It might be just a very simple question, i just couldn't find these terms; 'generic datamodel'.


Solution

  • Perhaps by generic data model you mean an entity attribute value model: EAV on wikipedia

    This data model has one table and three columns. It is usually burnt by fire if ever discovered by someone of a database (vs developer) persuasion.

    The thing with a data model is that you are modeling something. You are applying your skills to build a database that is optimised to store and retrieve data about something (widgets in a factory, trades on a stock exchange, Facebook posts). A EAV can store all of this stuff but it causes many other problems down the line.

    More info here: EAV