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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'.

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Jurre Sanders
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  • So who asked you 'what is a generic data model'. Because academic question unfortunately have little bearing on real world problems. This gives us some context for defining this mysterious term – Nick.Mc Jan 12 '15 at 01:50

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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

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Nick.Mc
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It could be possible its an EAV mode. But that leaves me with the following question: are there any alternatives to this model?

Thanks.

Jurre Sanders
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  • Are there an alternatives to an EAV model? Yes. Many. Every database that isn't an EAV model is an alternative. But a Facebook post data model does not help you track production of widgets. Can you clarify - is this an academic question? – Nick.Mc Jan 12 '15 at 12:22
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@ nick, this is the question:

  1. Advise in Chapter 5 of the people involved in your case about the application or not of a generic data model and optionally other alternatives. Motivate your opinion (10 points).
Jurre Sanders
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  • So it's an academic question. In this case it does not mean an EAV at all. It means a pre built data model for the business process. i.e. a generic sales business data model will have a sales header table and a sales line item table. A generic online shopping cart will have a certain design. A unique business (i.e. Facebook) won't have a generic data model. I typed "generic sales data model" into google and got this: http://www.databaseanswers.org/data_models/sales_receipts_generic/index.htm – Nick.Mc Jan 14 '15 at 00:46