Which database model is typically used for complex relationships between records?

The relational database model is designed to handle complex relationships between records effectively. It utilizes tables to organize data in a structured format, where each table can be related to others through the use of keys, such as primary and foreign keys. This allows for the establishment of relationships among different datasets, enabling users to perform complex queries that can merge, filter, and analyze data across multiple tables.

Relational databases support various types of relationships, such as one-to-one, one-to-many, and many-to-many, which are essential for handling intricate data scenarios that require relationships between different records. This model also ensures data integrity and reduces redundancy through normalization processes, strengthening the organization of data.

In contrast, other database models, such as flat file databases, lack this relational capability, as they typically store data in a single table format without relationships. Hierarchical databases structure data in a tree-like format, which can limit the complexity of relationships since each record has a single parent, making it difficult to represent many-to-many relationships. Online Transaction Processing (OLTP) databases refer to systems that manage transaction-oriented applications; while they can be relational, they are not specific to the complexity of relationships as a model type.