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

Guidelines for Creating Field Names

• Create a unique, descriptive name that is meaningful to the entire organization.

• Create a name that accurately, clearly, and unambiguously identifies the characteristic a field represents.

• Use the minimum number of words necessary to convey the meaning of the characteristic the field represents.

• Do not use acronyms, and use abbreviations judiciously.

• Do not use words that could confuse the meaning of the field name.

• Do not use names that implicitly or explicitly identify more than one characteristic.

• Use the singular form of the name.