Storing Of Hierarchical Data In A Relational Database

Databases
1

What method do you use for storing hierarchical data in a relational database and why?

The two methods that I personally am aware of are:

  • Adjacency List
  • Modified Pre-order Tree Traversal

Have you found one to be more efficient once the tree gets beyond a certain size?

Do you use transactions when using either method?

I personally use the Modified Preorder Tree Traversal as I don’t like unecessary queries (if I can get all required info in one query I will). I have not personally used Adjacency List as I personally am new to working with hierarchical in a relational database.

2

there is also the Nested Set model

since you ask, i personally use adjacency list because it’s so easy to understand and work with