Every other Data Model is simply an example of this (very) Generic Data Model. Of course, this Model would be very cumbersome to use, it would require lengthy explanations of how to use it in any particular situation, and the performance of the corresponding physical Database would be very poor. For these reasons, this Generic Data Model is never used in practice. This Data Model must comply with a set of Business Rules, which would normally be agreed with the User, or the person responsible for defining the Requirements for the Database.

Barry Williams
Principal Consultant
Database Answers