Database Design for Mere Mortals™: A Hands-On Guide to Relational Database Design, Second Edition

Database Design Based on the Database Software

An RDBMS does not provide a basis or procedure or even a reason for designing a database in a particular fashion—it only provides the tools that you need to implement a design. In contrast, a formal database-design method provides both the principles and rationale necessary to define a database properly and effectively.

Many people unwittingly fall into the trap of designing a database based solely on the RDBMS software they will use for its implementation. In many cases, they do so because they are already somewhat familiar and skilled with a particular RDBMS. This is an unwise approach that you should avoid for several reasons:

• You're likely to make design decisions based on your perceptions ...