A Mapping and Ranking of Selected Database Application to DBMS Models

Database Management Systems (DBMS) have changed significantly during the last four decades. There are currently six different database models: file processing systems, hierarchical, network, relational, object-oriented, and the object-relational DBMS. Even though all these models share common features, each model can be identified for its unique characteristics. Furthermore, implementation of the common and the unique features can produce a wide variety of database applications. Such a variety calls for a systematic approach for evaluating and selecting a database application. Based upon the six database models, a total of 33 features were identified from the literature. The findings indicate that the database features and the attributes of 28 popular database applications could be mapped into a schematic model and a three-tier logical structure accordingly. One the strengths of this study is inherent in methodology applied, because the technique uses a robust approach for identifying, mapping, and ranking decisions that is replicable. Database vendors, buyers, project managers, systems analysts, software developers, data administrators, and research scholars specializing in data modeling and applications should find this study useful