Database Design for Mere Mortals: A Hands-On Guide to Relational Database Design

When is the best time to use an RDBMS program's design tools?

The best time to use an RDBMS program's design tools is after you design the logical structure of the database.

True or False: Design is crucial to the consistency, integrity, and accuracy of data.

True. Design is crucial to the consistency, integrity, and accuracy of data.

What is the most detrimental result of improper database design?

The most detrimental result of improper database design is inaccurate information.

What fact makes the relational database structurally sound and able to guarantee accurate information?

The fact that the relational database model is based on set theory and first-order predicate logic makes the relational database structurally sound and able to guarantee accurate information.

State two advantages of learning a design methodology.

These are the advantages to learning a design methodology:

1. It gives you the skills you need to design a sound database structure.

2. It provides you with an organized set of techniques that will guide you step-by-step through the design process.

3. It helps you keep your missteps and design reiterations to a minimum.

4. It makes the design process easier and reduces the amount of time you spend designing the database.

5. It will help you understand and use your RDBMS software more fully and effectively.

True or False: You will use your RDBMS program more effectively if you understand database design.

True. Understanding database design will help you use your RDBMS program more effectively.

State two objectives of good design.

These are the objectives of good design:

1. The database supports required and ad hoc information retrieval.

2. The tables are constructed properly and efficiently .

3. Data integrity is imposed at the field, table, and relationship levels.

4. The database supports business rules relevant to the organization.

5. The database lends itself to future growth.

What helps to guarantee that data structures and their values are valid and accurate at all times?

Data integrity helps to guarantee that data structures and their values are valid and accurate at all times.

State two benefits of applying good design techniques.

These are the benefits of applying good design techniques:

1. The database structure is easy to modify and maintain.

2. The data is easy to modify.

3. Information is easy to retrieve.

4. End- user applications are easy to develop and build.

True or False: You can take shortcuts through some of the design processes and still arrive at a good, sound design.

False. You cannot take shortcuts through some of the design processes and still arrive at a good, sound design.