Source : Free On-Line Dictionary of Computing

relational data model
     
         (Or "relational model") A {data model} introduced
        by {E.F. Codd} in 1970, particularly well suited for business
        data management.  In this model, data are organised in
        {tables}.  The set of names of the columns is called the
        "schema" of the table.
     
        Here is an example table with the schema (account number,
        amount) and 3 lines.
     
         account number     amount
         --------------  ---------
         12343243546456  +30000.00
         23149875245824   +2345.33
         18479827492874    -123.25
     
        The data can be manipulated using a {relational algebra}.
        {SQL} is a standard language for talking to a database built
        on the relational model (a "{relational database}").
     
        ["A relational model for large shared data banks"
        Communications of ACM 13:6, pp 377-387].
     
        (1998-10-05)