Gagnagrunnsgerð

Gagnagrunnsgerð is an Icelandic term that translates to "database type" or "database model." It refers to the logical structure and organization of data within a database system. Different database types employ distinct methods for storing, retrieving, and manipulating data, impacting their performance, flexibility, and suitability for various applications.

Historically, early database types included hierarchical and network models. The hierarchical model organized data in a tree-like structure, with parent-child relationships. The network model extended this by allowing more complex relationships, enabling a data record to have multiple parent and child records.

The relational database model, introduced by Edgar F. Codd, became the dominant paradigm. It organizes data into tables, also known as relations, consisting of rows and columns. Relationships between tables are established through common fields, known as keys. This model is characterized by its use of structured query language (SQL) for data manipulation and querying.

More recent database types have emerged to address the limitations of relational databases, particularly concerning scalability and handling unstructured or semi-structured data. These include NoSQL (Not Only SQL) databases, which encompass several sub-types like key-value stores, document databases, column-family stores, and graph databases. Each NoSQL type offers different approaches to data storage and retrieval, often prioritizing flexibility and high-speed performance for specific use cases. The choice of gagnagrunnsgerð depends heavily on the application's requirements, the nature of the data, and the desired performance characteristics.