What is a Relational Database?
A relational database is a type of database that organizes data into rows and columns which collectively form a table where the data points are related to each other RDBMS.
SQL queries aggregate data, aiding firms in business performance analysis, process optimization, and insight generation. They organize data by linking tables through primary and foreign keys, revealing interconnections.
Storing Hierarchical Data in a Relational Database
The organization of hierarchical data is a unique challenge in the area of database management DBMS. Hierarchical structures are common in many fields, from organizations in charts to storage systems and categories of products.
Careful consideration of the database schema and the chosen storage model is required to effectively store and query hierarchical data in RDBMS relational databases.
In this article, we will go through the options available for storing hierarchical data in a relational database, exploring their advantages, disadvantages, and use cases. The options mainly are:
- Adjacency List Model
- Path Enumeration
- Nested Set Model
- Materialized Path Model
Before diving in, let’s acknowledge these concepts: