A Method of Database Design

Although there are a number of rules that can be followed in designing a database structure, the design process is as much an art as it is a science. Follow these rules when at all possible, but not to the point where the database loses the functionality that is so important to the user.

Make a list of all objects. An object is a single theme, similar to a paragraph. At Unlimited Rags the objects are: Customer Product Employee

Ship Rate Invoice Dependent

Doing a paper design first has several advantages:

Saves time, money, and problems Makes system more reliable; avoids potential data-modification problems Serves as a blueprint for discussion Helps in estimating costs and size A good design should have the following objectives: Meet the users' needs Solve the problem Be free of modification anomalies Have a reliable and stable database, where the tables are as independent as possible Be easy to use Design of the Database Model The design of the database structure requires the following steps: 1. List the objects. 2. List the facts about the objects. 3. Turn the objects and facts into tables and columns. 4. Determine the relationship among objects. 5. Determine the key columns. 6. Determine the linking columns. 7. Determine the constraints. 8. Evaluate the design model. 9. Implement the database.

Step 2: List the Facts about the Objects

There is a great deal of information associated with every object. In this step, you should list the facts about an object and then eliminate the facts that are not important to the solution of the problem. The customer object, for example, can have many facts associated with it: company name, address, city, founders, number of employees, stock price. In this case, it is not important to keep information about the number of employees, stock price, or founders. Unlimited Rags needs only the information it will use now and possibly in the future. Object Employee Customer Invoice Product Dependent Ship Rates Important Facts About the Object employee, name, birth date, gender, SSN, marital status company name, address, city, state, zip, contact, title date, salesperson, customer, quantity, shipping charge, tax, freight product name, description, cost, markup name, date of birth state, rates

Step 3: Turn the Objects and Facts into Tables and Columns Step 4: Determine the Relationship Among Objects Step 5: Determine the Key Columns

Step 1: List the Objects