Discuss the hierarchical database model. What limitation(s) of the hierarchical database model are solved by the network database model?

The earliest DBMS were based on the hierarchical data model. This was a popular approach to data representation because it reflected many aspects of an organization that are hierarchical in relationship. It was an efficient data processing tool for highly structured problems. The hierarchical model is constructed of sets of files. Each set contains a parent and a child. Files at the same level with the same parent are called siblings.

The hierarchical data model is a navigational database because traversing it requires following a predefined path, established through pointers.

A parent record may have one or more child records, but no child record can have more than one parent which is restrictive and limits the usefulness of the model. Many firms need a view that permits multiple parents. That limitation is solved by the network database model which allows a child record to have multiple parents.