Why Relational Tables?
Now let’s talk about database design. Why is it so important to have relational tables in databases? Why can’t you just use them like we use spreadsheets—in two dimensional tables? Can’t you calculate and add records this way?
Well, it’s because real-world situations usually aren’t arranged that way. How many customers will only order one item? How many employees will only have one project? How many students will take only one course? We live in a “one-to-many” three-dimensional world. Although two dimensions might work in a spreadsheet, databases have much more rigid structures; and this extra dimension can be a big advantage.
A flat file database is a two-dimensional model. What does that mean? If you think of a table ...
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