Beyond the relational database model

The relational model is a set-theoretic model for describing data constructs common in the business environment. Relational databases also minimize data duplication, which ensures data integrity and reduces storage requirements. Further, the relational model provides a way to represent variable-length constructs with fixed-length components. In addition, normalization theory is the basis of hundreds of papers and successful tenure applications. This ensured the academic community would carry the model forward. Finally, by following open standards, including the structured query language, vendors created a buzz with dozens of relational DBMS products such as System R, DB2, Oracle, SQL Server, Ingres, dBase, R:Base, Pearl, Paradox, and Access. An XDS have many advantages over a relational database, including seamless integration with user views as well as all the benefits of XML standards such as XML schema validation and the extensible stylesheet language for document materialization.