definitions

I have a few questions about database models...

For a somewhat formal definition of the E-R data model, I know that an entity-relationship model consists of a set of objects entities and a set of relationships among those objects. I can't seem to find a definition for the relational data model. Is the relational data model simply a collection of tables (relations)? A table (relation) can be defined as a relationship among a set of values (tuple).

There are few if any databases based on the E-R data model, most are based on the relational data model. My question is: was the E-R data model created just for the sole purpose to facilitate database design? After an database schema is designed using the E-R model and diagrams, is it just simply converted into tables to fit the relational model?

I was just curious as to what the relationship between the two data models are..

Thanks,
Ken Received on Sat Apr 29 2000 - 00:00:00 CEST