What model underpins most relational databases?

The relational model is fundamental to most relational databases because it organizes data into tables (or relations), which consist of rows and columns. This model allows for the representation of data in a way that is both simple and flexible, promoting easy data retrieval and manipulation through structured query language (SQL).

In the relational model, each table represents a different entity type, and relationships between entities are established through foreign keys, ensuring data integrity and reducing redundancy. This approach fosters a logical way of thinking about data that aligns well with how users conceptualize the data relationships in real-world scenarios.

The other models mentioned, including the object-oriented, hierarchical, and network models, serve different purposes and have distinct structures. The object-oriented model integrates object-oriented programming principles, while the hierarchical model organizes data in a tree-like structure, and the network model uses a graph structure to represent relationships. However, they do not provide the same level of flexibility, simplicity, and widespread adaptability as the relational model, which is why the relational model is the dominant framework in contemporary database design.