Database Design

• We begin part 2 of the book.
• In this section we discuss building a database from existing data sources
  • Existing paperwork
  • Spreadsheets
  • Text Files
  • Databases
• Chapter 3 discusses the relational model and normalization.
• Chapter 4 discusses using the normalization principles to design a database
• Chapter 5 gives us E-R diagrams
• Chapter 6 presents turning E-R diagrams into a database.
• The big thing to keep in mind is we are working on eliminating duplicate data and maintaining all information.
  • Consider the two tables SKU_DATA and INVENTORY
  • Both contain SKU_Description
  • How can this lead to problems?
  • There are many ways such problems can hide in data
  • Much work has been done identifying these problems
  • And deriving solutions so they will be eliminated.
  • That takes us to chapter 3