Data models are user-defined data types used to diagram entities and structured data. When creating a data item, you can create a string, integer, etc. data type. Data model is another option. They can also be used to model an entity based on unstructured data from multiple systems and data sources. Data models are created at the solution level.
When you want to store a list of data, you need a data model that is a list or collection of list values. That collection data model will need to be associated with a data item before the data model can be used.
Example Data Model for a Person
For example, consider an entity titled Person. A person will have properties such as first name, last name, email address, phone number, etc. Those properties can be added to a data model. Then the data model can be used by multiple data items.
For example, you can associate a data model named Person, with data items named Employee and Manager. Both the data items can use the data model Person and have first name, last name, email address, and phone number properties. Using a data model saves you from having to create duplicate data items for similar types of entities—like an employee and a manager.
This section provides information on the following data model topics:
