Chapter 9. Field Specifications

It has long been an axiom of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important.

--SHERLOCK HOLMES, THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES

Topics Covered in This Chapter

Why Field Specifications Are Important

Field-Level Integrity

Anatomy of a Field Specification

Using Unique, Generic, and Replica Field Specifications

Defining Field Specifications for Each Field in the Database

Case Study

Summary

Review Questions

Fields are the bedrock of the database. They represent characteristics of the subjects that are important to an organization. Fields store the data that the organization uses as the basis of information—information that is vital to its daily operations, success, and future ...

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