Database Design for Mere Mortals

Chapter 7. Establishing Table Structures

	It is a capital mistake to theorize                  before one has data.
	--Sherlock Holmes, The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes

Topics Covered in This Chapter

• Defining the Preliminary Table List

• Defining the Final Table List

• Associating Fields with Each Table

• Refining the Fields

• Refining the Table Structures

• CASE STUDY

• Summary

A database is used to keep track of various subjects that are important to an organization. For example, a medical clinic needs to keep track of, among other things, its "Patients," "Doctors," and "Appointments;" an equipment-rental business must maintain such data as its "Customers," "Equipment," and "Rental Agreements;" and a registrar's office is concerned (at least) with "Students," ...