How is YANG data modeling primarily structured?

YANG data modeling is primarily structured in a tree-structured format, which reflects a hierarchical organization of the data. This tree structure allows for a clear representation of relationships between different elements of the model, such as modules, nodes, and leaf definitions. Each branch of the tree represents a different data element or configuration option, enabling efficient organization and access to information.

The tree structure is advantageous because it simplifies the representation of complex configurations and allows for easy inheritance and extension of data models. By organizing data hierarchically, YANG can clearly express containment relationships, where certain nodes can contain other nodes, providing a logical flow that is intuitive for users and developers alike.

Furthermore, this structure is critical for ensuring that the data model can be easily manipulated, validated, and transformed, making it an effective tool for network management and configuration. In contrast, other structures like linear, graph-based, or matrix structures do not provide the same level of clarity and organization needed for modeling the intricacies of network configurations within the YANG framework.