Database Reference
In-Depth Information
Database Modeling
and Design
Some database systems textbooks make much ado about having separate chapters for
database modeling and database design. In this course, we will not, and the reason will
become clear shortly. All discussions in chapters 3 and 4 contribute to database modeling
and design. In particular, ERDs and normalization are paramount to a logical database
model and design. In this chapter, we will clarify the roles of database modeling and
database design, and then take a more detailed look at some approaches in these areas.
The chapter proceeds under the following captions:
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Database Model and Database Design
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The E-R Model Revisited
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Database Design With the E-R Model
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The Extended Relational Model
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Database Design With the Extended Relational Model
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The UML Model
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Database Design With the UML Model
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Innovation: The Object/Entity Specification Grid
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Database Design Using Normalization Theory
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Database Model and Design Tools
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Summary and Concluding Remarks
5.1 Database Model and Database Design
Database modeling and database design are closely related; in fact, the former leads to the
latter. However, it is incorrect to assume that the path from database modeling to database
design is an irreversible one. To the contrary, changes in your database model will affect
your database design and vice versa. This course therefore purports that you can work on
your database model and your database design in parallel, and with experience, you can
merge both into one phase. For the purpose of discussion, let us look at each phase.
