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Database Design for Mere Mortals®: A Hands-on Guide to Relational Database Design, Third Edition

by Michael J. Hernandez

February 2013

Intermediate to advanced

672 pages

12h 58m

English

Addison-Wesley Professional

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To the Third Edition
What’s New in the Third EditionWho Should Read This BookThe Purpose of This BookHow to Read This BookHow This Book Is OrganizedA Word About the Examples and Techniques in This Book

Topics Covered in This ChapterTypes of DatabasesEarly Database ModelsThe Relational Database ModelRelational Database Management SystemsBeyond the Relational ModelWhat the Future HoldsSummaryReview Questions
Topics Covered in This ChapterWhy Should You Be Concerned with Database Design?The Importance of TheoryThe Advantage of Learning a Good Design MethodologyObjectives of Good DesignBenefits of Good DesignDatabase Design MethodsNormalizationSummaryReview Questions
Topics Covered in This ChapterWhy This Terminology Is ImportantValue-Related TermsStructure-Related TermsRelationship-Related TermsIntegrity-Related TermsSummaryReview Questions
Topics Covered in This ChapterThe Importance of Completing the Design ProcessDefining a Mission Statement and Mission ObjectivesAnalyzing the Current DatabaseCreating the Data StructuresDetermining and Establishing Table RelationshipsDetermining and Defining Business RulesDetermining and Defining ViewsReviewing Data IntegritySummaryReview Questions
Topics Covered in This ChapterConducting InterviewsDefining the Mission StatementDefining the Mission ObjectivesSummaryReview Questions
Topics Covered in This ChapterGetting to Know the Current DatabaseConducting the AnalysisLooking at How Data Is CollectedLooking at How Information Is PresentedConducting InterviewsInterviewing UsersInterviewing ManagementCompiling a Complete List of FieldsSummaryReview Questions
Topics Covered in This ChapterDefining the Preliminary Table ListDefining the Final Table ListAssociating Fields with Each TableRefining the FieldsRefining the Table StructuresSummaryReview Questions
Topics Covered in This ChapterWhy Keys Are ImportantEstablishing Keys for Each TableTable-Level IntegrityReviewing the Initial Table StructuresSummaryReview Questions
Topics Covered in This ChapterWhy Field Specifications Are ImportantField-Level IntegrityAnatomy of a Field SpecificationUsing Unique, Generic, and Replica Field SpecificationsDefining Field Specifications for Each Field in the DatabaseSummaryReview Questions
Topics Covered in This ChapterWhy Relationships Are ImportantTypes of RelationshipsIdentifying Existing RelationshipsEstablishing Each RelationshipRefining All Foreign KeysEstablishing Relationship CharacteristicsRelationship-Level IntegritySummaryReview Questions
Topics Covered in This ChapterWhat Are Business Rules?Categories of Business RulesDefining and Establishing Business RulesValidation TablesReviewing the Business Rule Specifications SheetsSummaryReview Questions
Topics Covered in This ChapterWhat Are Views?Anatomy of a ViewDetermining and Defining ViewsSummaryReview Questions
Topics Covered in This ChapterWhy You Should Review Data IntegrityReviewing and Refining Data IntegrityAssembling the Database DocumentationDone at Last!Summary
Topics Covered in This ChapterFlat-File DesignSpreadsheet DesignDatabase Design Based on the Database SoftwareA Final ThoughtSummary
Topics Covered in This ChapterWhen May You Bend or Break the Rules?Documenting Your ActionsSummary
Chapter 1Chapter 2Chapter 3Chapter 4Chapter 5Chapter 6Chapter 7Chapter 8Chapter 9Chapter 10Chapter 11Chapter 12
Defining and Establishing Field-Specific Business RulesDefining and Establishing Relationship-Specific Business RulesElements of a Candidate KeyElements of a Foreign KeyElements of a Primary KeyElements of the Ideal FieldElements of the Ideal TableField-Level IntegrityGuidelines for Composing a Field DescriptionGuidelines for Composing a Table DescriptionGuidelines for Creating Field NamesGuidelines for Creating Table NamesIdentifying RelationshipsIdentifying View RequirementsInterview GuidelinesMission StatementsMission ObjectivesRelationship-Level IntegrityResolving a Multivalued FieldTable-Level Integrity
Please Note . . .A Brief RecapHow Normalization Is Integrated into My Design MethodologyLogical Design versus Physical Design and Implementation

Content preview from Database Design for Mere Mortals®: A Hands-on Guide to Relational Database Design, Third Edition

6. Analyzing the Current Database

To see what is in front of one’s nose needs a constant struggle.

—GEORGE ORWELL IN FRONT OF YOUR NOSE

Topics Covered in This Chapter

Getting to Know the Current Database

Conducting the Analysis

Looking at How Data Is Collected

Looking at How Information Is Presented

Conducting Interviews

Interviewing Users

Interviewing Management

Compiling a Complete List of Fields

Case Study

Summary

Review Questions

Getting to Know the Current Database

To determine where you should go, you must first understand where you are.

This maxim defines the entire philosophy behind this phase of the database design process. You must devote some time to gaining a clear understanding of your organization’s database so that you can

• Determine ...