What distinguishes network databases?

The defining characteristic of network databases is that a child can have more than one parent. This allows for a more flexible and complex relationship between data entities compared to hierarchical databases, where a child can only have one parent. In a network database model, data elements can be linked together in a way that represents many-to-many relationships, enabling more intricate data structures that reflect real-world scenarios more accurately.

This flexibility in the relationships allows users to navigate through the data in various ways, making it suitable for applications requiring complex data modeling. In contrast, the other options describe characteristics that do not apply to network databases. For instance, data in network databases is not limited to a single location but can be distributed, and they do not use a simple hierarchical structure, as their design is more intricate. Additionally, network databases are not strictly relational; rather, they embrace a more flexible schema that can support various types of data relationships.