Chapter 20: Problem 10

What is the difference between structured and unstructured complex objects?

Short Answer

Expert verified

Structured objects have a pre-defined data model and are organized in a specific way, typically found in relational databases, while unstructured objects lack this organization and are generally found in non-relational databases. The differences lie primarily in their organization, storage, and the type of analysis they allow.

Step by step solution

Define Structured Objects

Structured objects are those which have a pre-defined data model or are organized in a defined manner. They reside in relational databases (RDBMS) and can easily be identified and used because they follow a specific pattern. Examples of structured data include names, dates, addresses, credit card numbers, stock information, etc.

Define Unstructured Objects

Unstructured objects, on the other hand, don't have a pre-defined data model or aren't organized in a defined manner. They may be textual or non-textual, and are typically stored in a non-relational database (NoSQL). Examples of unstructured data include emails, social media posts, digital images, audio files, web pages, etc.

Draw Comparisons and Contrasts

The primary differences between structured and unstructured data lie in their organization, storage, and the type of analysis they are suited for. Structured data uses a schema to organize and categorize data, while unstructured data doesn't. Due to its structured nature, structured data can be easily queried using standard SQL language. However, due to their unstructured nature, unstructured data may require more sophisticated methods for categorization and querying, often requiring software algorithms for filtering and sorting the data.

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What is the difference between structured and unstructured complex objects?

Short Answer

Step by step solution

Define Structured Objects

Define Unstructured Objects

Draw Comparisons and Contrasts

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