A Method for Database Model Selection

Abstract

In the last decade, new types of database models emerged, most notably the NoSQL database models. Within this family of databases there are specific models, such as Document-based, Graph-based and more, each of which, in additional to the Relational model, may fit to specific types of applications. Hence, the issue of which database model to select for a given application becomes important. Nowadays, to the best of our knowledge, the selection of a database model is not based on systematic methods that consider the specific requirements and characteristics of the sought application. In this paper we propose a structured method for database model selection. The method considers a variety of factors, including data-related requirements, functional requirements and non-functional requirements. Based on these factors the method proposes the most appropriate database models for that application. We demonstrate the method through a running example.