The standard database models are:

1. Relational model A formal structure that organizes data into relations (i.e., tables).
2. Object-oriented model: Object/relational database management systems (ORDBMSs) add new object storage capabilities to the relational systems at the core of modern information systems
3. hierarchical model: A database model that organizes data in a top-down (inverted tree) structure.
4. network model: An extension of the hierarchical model. (See hierarchical model.)

Each database model provides a unique formal structure for its database type.
As you might expect, there are advantages and disadvantages to each. The structure of a relational database will be dissected in this course.
It is beyond our scope to compare and contrast the relational model with the other three.
Both the hierarchical and network models are used in many legacy database systems. However, you will rarely find new databases created from these two older models. The object-oriented model, on the other hand, is relatively new. It caught on in the mid-90s and continues to gain in popularity. In fact, some relational databases incorporate elements from the object-oriented model.
Suffice to say that the advantages of the relational model outweigh its disadvantages; of the four, it is the model of choice for most businesses.