Improve CRUD performance on hierarchical data: Nested interval model vs. nested set model

Abstract

Hierarchical data models are commonly used in databases to represent data across a multitude of disciplines. In this paper, I will examine two models that can be used to represent hierarchical data in a relational database, the nested interval model, and the nested set model. These models were analyzed on a WAMP server using various queries and CRUD operations. The purpose of this paper is to examine the advantages of using a nested interval model as compared to a nested set model in a database which needs to search quickly, create, update, and destroy large amounts of hierarchical data.