Basics in Database Design

Introduction

• Overview of fundamental concepts in database design.

Key Concepts in Database Design

• Database Models:

  • Hierarchical Model
  • Network Model
  • Relational Model

• Relational Model:

  • Most widely used model in database design.
  • Based on tables (relations) consisting of rows and columns.

• Normalization:

  • Process of organizing data to reduce redundancy and improve data integrity.
  • Different normal forms: 1NF, 2NF, 3NF, BCNF.

Steps in Database Design

1. Requirement Analysis:

   • Understanding what data needs to be stored and how it will be used.

2. Conceptual Design:

   • Creating a high-level data model (often using Entity-Relationship diagrams).

3. Logical Design:

   • Converting the conceptual model into a logical model (typically a relational model).

4. Physical Design:

   • Defining how to store the data in the hardware.

Database Management Systems (DBMS)

• Definition: Software that handles storage, retrieval, and updating of data in a database.
• Examples:
  • MySQL
  • PostgreSQL
  • Oracle
  • Microsoft SQL Server

Best Practices in Database Design

• Ensure data is normalized to prevent update anomalies.
• Use primary keys to uniquely identify records.
• Implement foreign keys to maintain referential integrity between tables.
• Regularly backup database to prevent data loss.

Common Issues in Database Design

• Redundancy:

  • Leads to data inconsistency and increased storage.

• Anomalies:

  • Insertion, update, and deletion anomalies can occur if the database is poorly designed.

Conclusion

• Database design is crucial for efficient data management.
• A properly designed database improves data retrieval speed and reduces redundancy.

References

• Further reading and resources available at Panopto.