Networks exist to allow different sectors of data to speak with each other, whether they are separate computer systems or different units in a database. The network model evolved to allow for more flexible relationships than mainframe computers or hierachical databases permitted. By keeping an address list, a computer can track data that is widely dispersed and related to many different systems. Network computing seems to work well and is putting new fire in the personal computer market, but network databases proved unwieldy and have been replaced by newer models, relational and object-oriented databases.
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