Practical SQL Handbook, The: Using SQL Variants, Fourth Edition

Summary

This chapter walks you through the steps of database design, using the sample database bookbiz:

• You start off looking at some basic considerations for database design, including characteristics of good and bad design.
• Next, you look at how you define attributes and entities and what their relationships to each other mean.
• To make sure every column is in the right table, you check columns and tables closely against the normalization rules.
• Finally, you look at the database as a whole. Does it work? Can you get the reports you need?

Once the database design is in place, you can create the database and its tables and add data. Chapter 3 covers the SQL DDL and DML commands for creating objects and adding data.