Data model for an information system

A high-level data model in business or for any functional area is an abstract model that documents and organizes the business data for communication between functional and technical people. It is used to show the data needed and created by business processes.A data model in software engineering is an abstract model that documents and organizes the business data for communication between team members and is used as a plan for developing applications, specifically how data are stored and accessed. Typical applications of data models include database models, design of information systems, and enabling exchange of data. Usually data models are specified in a data modeling language.

The main aim of data models is to support the development of information systems by providing the definition and format of data.

Conceptual schema: describes the semantics of a domain, being the scope of the model. For example, it may be a model of the interest area of an organization or industry.

Logical schema: describes the semantics, as represented by a particular data manipulation technology. This consists of descriptions of tables and columns, object oriented classes, and XML tags, among other things.

Physical schema: describes the physical means by which data are stored. This is concerned with partitions, CPUs, tablespaces, and the like.