What is a network database?

A network database is a data model that represents information in the form of records linked to each other through relationships such as "one-to-many" or "many-to-many." Unlike the hierarchical model, where each child record is only linked to one parent record, in the network model, a record can have multiple "parents." This creates a more complex but flexible data structure, resembling a directed graph.

Main elements of the network model:

• Record type: Describes the data structure (fields) for a specific type of information.
• Set type: Defines the relationship between two record types: "owner" and "member." One owner record can be linked to many member records. A member record can belong to multiple sets, i.e., have multiple owners.

Advantages:

• More flexible representation of complex data relationships compared to the hierarchical model.
• Theoretically more efficient data access along predefined relationship paths.

Disadvantages:

• Complexity of structure and data navigation.
• Changes in data structure may require significant rework of applications.
• Lack of a declarative query language; navigation is performed procedurally through links.

Examples of historically used network DBMSs:

• IDMS (Integrated Database Management System)
• IDS (Integrated Data Store)