Database Reference
In-Depth Information
Figure 7.4. The revised list of subjects and the revised Preliminary Table List (first
view)
Step 2: Resolve Items That Represent the Same Subject
Yourobjective duringthis step ofthe mergeprocess istodetermine whether anitem onthe
list of subjects and an item on the Preliminary Table List
represent the same subject
even
though they have
different
names. When you identify such a set of items, select the name
that best represents the subject and use it as the sole identifier for that subject. Then deal
with the name in this manner.
• If the name you've selected already appears on the Preliminary Table List, cross
out its counterpart on the list of subjects.
• If the name appears on the list of subjects,
remove
its counterpart on the Prelimin-
ary Table List and
replace
it with the name from the list of subjects.
Repeat this process until you've covered all the items on the list of subjects.
Continuing with the equipment rental business example, assume you've discovered that
“Clients” and “Employees” on the list of subjects and “Customers” and “Sales Reps” on
the Preliminary Table List represent (respectively) the same subject (see
Figure 7.4
)
. De-
ciding to deal with “Clients” and “Customers” first, you review your interview notes and
determine that “Customers” is the name that best represents both the people and the organ-
izations that rent equipment from the business. You then resolve the duplication by keep-
ing “Customers” and crossing out “Clients.” Moving on to the next set of duplicate items,
you decide to keep “Employees” and discard “Sales Reps” because you believe that “Em-
ployees” best describes those people who are employed by the business, regardless of their
