Sunday, January 3, 2010

Creating a Database

Creating a database is like putting together a complex puzzle. You have to consider the business purpose of the database--what is it supposed to do. You have to consider what transactions the database is supposed to store. What information do you need to capture? You have to think about how that information is processed. What are the business rules? What questions is the database supposed to answer? Who are the users of the database? Who should have permissions to see what data? You have to fit all that into a database model of related tables, and you need to to that while keeping the database flexible enough to react to changing business situations and needs. You have to figure out how all the different parts fit together.

To make the puzzle even more complicated, most of the time you aren't given the parts ahead of time. You have to ask questions, research and dig to discover the parts. And if you forget any of them the puzzle won't go together properly. The database won't do what it was intended to do.

Some people love this kind of puzzle. The challenge can be exhilarating. Others find it frustrating in the extreme.

This class is about solving the puzzle. It will lead you through the process and show you some of the steps and methods you can use to succeed.

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