The hierarchy in a database record

A database is composed of a series of database records. Records contain segments, and the segments are arranged in a hierarchy in the database record.

Numbering sequence in a hierarchy: top to bottom
When a database record is stored in the database, the hierarchical arrangement of segments in the database record is the order in which segments are stored.
Numbering sequence in a hierarchy: movement and position
The terms movement and position are used when talking about how segments are accessed when an application program issues a call. They are used to help describe the numbering sequence in a hierarchy.
Numbering sequence in a hierarchy: level
In a hierarchy, level is the position of a segment in the hierarchy in relation to the root segment. The root segment is always on level one.

Parent topic: Database concepts and terminology