Why Database Design Is Important

Database design focuses on design of

database structure used for end-user data
 Designer must identify database’s expected use
Well-designed database:
 Facilitates data management
 Generates accurate and valuable information
Poorly designed database:
 Causes difficult-to-trace errors

DATABASE SYSTEMS, 13TH EDITION 1

Evolution of File System Data Processing
Reasons for studying file systems:
Complexity of database design is easier to
understand
Understanding file system problems helps to avoid
problems with DBMS systems
Knowledge of file system is useful for converting
file system to database system
File systems typically composed of collection of
file folders, each tagged and kept in cabinet
Organized by expected use

DATABASE SYSTEMS, 13TH EDITION 2

Evolution of File System Data Processing
Contents of each file folder are logically related
Manual file systems
 Served as a data repository for small data collections
 Cumbersome for large collections
Computerized file systems
 Data processing (DP) specialist converted computer file
structure from manual system
• Wrote software that managed the data
• Designed the application programs

DATABASE SYSTEMS, 13TH EDITION 3

Evolution of File System Data Processing
Initially, computer file systems resembled manual
systems
As number of files increased, file systems
evolved
Each file used its own application program to
store, retrieve, and modify data
Each file was owned by individual or
department that commissioned its creation

DATABASE SYSTEMS, 13TH EDITION 4

DATABASE SYSTEMS, 13TH EDITION 5
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File System Redux: Modern End-
User Productivity Tools
Ubiquitous use of personal productivity tools can
introduce the same problems as the old file
systems.
Microsoft Excel
Widely used by business users.
Users have become so adept at working with
spreadsheets, they tend to use them to
complete tasks for which spreadsheets are not
appropriate – database substitute.

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Problems with File System Data
Processing
File systems were an improvement over manual
system
File systems used for more than two decades
Understanding the shortcomings of file systems
aids in development of modern databases
Many problems not unique to file systems
Even simple file system retrieval task required
extensive programming
Ad hoc queries impossible
Changing existing structure difficult

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Problems with File System Data
Processing
Security features difficult to program
Often omitted in file system environments
Summary of file system limitations:
Requires extensive programming
Cannot perform ad hoc queries
System administration is complex and difficult
Difficult to make changes to existing
structures
Security features are likely to be inadequate

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Requires extensive programming
Modern DB uses 4th Generation
Languages
For Example: SQL
A study shows that “4th generation lang.
programmer writes 60% less lines of
code compared to a typical 3rd
generation Lang. programmer ”

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Requires extensive programming: Example
Generic Code Example: Comparison
1) DO WHILE EOF( )
READ CUSTOMER
IF CUSTOMER.C_ZIP =“36123”
THEN PRINT C_NAME, C_PHONE, C_ZIP;
END DO;

2) SELECT C_NAME, CPHONE, C_ZIP FROM CUSTOMER

WHERE CUSTOMER.C_ZIP =‘36123’;

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Structural and Data Independence
Structural independence: change file
structure without affecting data access
Data independence: data storage
characteristics do not affect data access

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Structural and Data Dependence
• Data Dependence
Change in file’s data characteristics requires
modification of data access programs
Lengthy development time
Excessive program maintenance
• Structural Dependence
Access to a file is dependent on its structure
All file system programs must be modified to
conform to a new file structure
Example: Adding D.O.B in customer file
 Open – Read – Transform- in new file structure- Delete previous

DATABASE SYSTEMS, 13TH EDITION 14

Example:

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Structural and Data Dependence
Practical significance of data dependence is
difference between logical and physical format
Logical data format: how human views the data
Physical data format: how computer must work
with data
Each program must contain:
 Lines specifying opening of specific file type
 Record specification
 Field definitions

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Data Redundancy
File system structure makes it difficult to combine data from
multiple sources
Vulnerable to security breaches
Organizational structure promotes storage of same data in
different locations
Islands of information
A body of information (i.e. electronic files) that needs to be shared but
has no network connection.

Data stored in different locations is unlikely to be

updated consistently.
Data redundancy: same data stored unnecessarily in
different places.
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Data Redundancy
Data inconsistency: different and conflicting
versions of same data occur at different places.
Data anomalies: abnormalities when all changes
in redundant data are not made correctly.
 Update anomalies: An agent has a new phone number, it
must be changed in all records of that agent
 Insertion anomalies: A new agent would have to be
entered with a dummy customer
 Deletion anomalies: Deleting a customer may delete the
only record of an agent

DATABASE SYSTEMS, 13TH EDITION 18

Lack of Design and Data-Modeling Skills
Most users lack the skill to properly design
databases
Despite multiple personal productivity tools being
available
Data-modeling skills
Vital in the data design process
Good data modeling facilitates communication
between the designer, user, and the developer

DATABASE SYSTEMS, 13TH EDITION 19

Database Systems
Database system consists of logically related
data stored in a single logical data repository
May be physically distributed among multiple
storage facilities
DBMS eliminates most of file system’s
problems
Current generation stores data structures,
relationships between structures, and access
paths
 Also defines, stores, and manages all access paths and
components
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The Database System Environment
Database system: defines and regulates the
collection, storage, management, use of data
Five major parts of a database system:
Hardware
Software
People
Procedures
Data

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DATABASE SYSTEMS, 13TH23
EDITION
The Database System Environment
Hardware: all the system’s physical
devices
Software: three types of software
required
Operating system software
DBMS software
Application programs and utility software

DATABASE SYSTEMS, 13TH EDITION 24

The Database System Environment
People: all users of the database system
System and database administrators
Database designers
Systems analysts and programmers
End users
Procedures: instructions and rules that govern
the design and use of the database system
Data: the collection of facts stored in the
database

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The Database System Environment
Database systems are created and managed at
different levels of complexity
Database solutions must be cost-effective as
well as tactically and strategically effective
Database technology already in use affects
selection of a database system

DATABASE SYSTEMS, 13TH EDITION 26

DBMS Functions
Most functions are transparent to end users
Can only be achieved through the DBMS
Data dictionary management
DBMS stores definitions of data elements and
relationships (metadata) in a data dictionary
DBMS looks up required data component structures
and relationships
Changes automatically recorded in the dictionary
DBMS provides data abstraction and removes
structural and data dependency

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DBMS Functions
Data storage management
DBMS creates and manages complex
structures required for data storage
Also stores related data entry forms, screen
definitions, report definitions, etc.
Performance tuning: activities that make the
database perform more efficiently
DBMS stores the database in multiple physical
data files

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DBMS Functions
Data transformation and presentation
DBMS transforms data entered to conform to required
data structures
DBMS transforms physically retrieved data to conform
to user’s logical expectations
Security management
DBMS creates a security system that enforces user
security and data privacy
Security rules determine which users can access the
database, which items can be accessed, etc.

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