Database Models 2020

Database design

Database design is the process of producing a detailed data model of a database. The data model
contains all the needed logical and physical design choices and physical storage parameters
needed to generate a design in a Data Definition Language which can then be used to create a
database.

The database design phases include:-

1) Formulation of information requirements and analysis phase: this phase involves

reviewing related documents and policies in the organization with the aim of defining the
problem clearly. The objective is to help define the purpose of the database.
2) Logical schema design phase:-the logical schema is concerned with the “what “of the
system.it is represented in terms of either relational tables or columns.
3) Physical design phase:- physical schema describes “How“ data is represented and stored
in secondary storage using a particular DBMS e.g.MYSQL.in the physical design phase
the implementation schema is programmed using the data definition language or any
other software language which is available for the programmer.

Summary:

Database design means:-

1) Identifying all the required records

2) Identifying the fields (attributes) of each record
3) Identifying the primary key for each file (table/ relation).the primary key identifies a
specific record in the file
4) Identifying the relationship between record types. The designer must identify the manner
in which information from different files are related and accessed. This is achieved by
identifying the foreign keys. The key aspects are the two aspects of database are
redundancy and concurrency retrieval that has been in use
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A foreign key is a field within a file which is the primary key of another file. A foreign
key is used to relate the database tables.
Types of Database Models/ database schemas

Database schema:-database schema refers to the overall structure of the database. The schema
specifies data, data relationships, data semantics, and consistency constraints on the data.

There are different database models namely:-

1) Flat database: A flat-file database is a database consisting of a single table. A table is

composed of a set of fields (columns) and records (rows). A flat database takes the form
of one large table where the first row is the list of the variable and subsequent rows are
data as shown below:

Flat File Model

Advantages of flat database model: most software include free access to flat data files

Disadvantages: Flat databases waste computer storage by requiring it to keep information on

items that logically cannot be available.
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2) Relational model

The relational database organizes data in a series of tables called relations. Each table has its own
field’s specific to the type of data being stored. Data can be accessed or reassembled in many
different ways without having to reorganize the database tables.

The standard user and application program interface to a relational database is the structured
query language (SQL). SQL statements are used both for interactive queries for information
from a relational database and for gathering data for reports.

An illustration of a relational database model

(1)Student table

001 Caro Njoroge BUD-002 C0402 SOB001

002 James Otieno DIT 205 C0540 FOCIM002
003 Peter Mwendia DIT 201 C0420 FOCIM002
004 Jane Janet BUD-004 C0400 SOB001

Primary key Foreign keys Inserted Records

StudentID Firstname Surname CourseCode LecturerID DepartmentCode

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(2)Lecturer Table

001 Njoroge BUD-002 001 SOB001

Caro
002 James Otieno DIT 205 002 FOCIM002
003 Peter Mwendia DIT 201 003 FOCIM002
004 Jane Janet BUD-004 004 SOB001

Primary key Foreign keys Inserted Records

LecturerID Firstname Surname CourseCode StuedentID DepartmentCode

Advantages of relational model

1) Relatively easy to create and access the database contents

2) A relational database is easy to extend i.e. after the original database creation; a new data
category can be added without requiring that all existing applications be modified.
3) Easier to issue DML commands such as delete, update and insert
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Disadvantages of relational databases

1) Cost: relational databases are expensive to setup and maintain. In order to set up a
relational database, you generally need to purchase special software.
2) Structured Limits: Some relational databases have limits on field lengths. When you
design the database, you have to specify the amount of data you can fit into a field. Some
names or search queries are shorter than the actual, and this can lead to data loss
(3)Network database model: A network database model is a database model that allows
multiple records to be linked to the same owner file. The relationship that the information has in
the network database model is defined as many-to-many relationship because one owner file can
be linked to many member files and vice versa.

An illustration of a network database model

KCA University

(Parent/owner)

Business department
IT department

Lecturer Lecturer Kamau

Kimotho
(Child/ record)
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Advantages of network model

1) Provide efficient High-speed data retrieval

2) Simplicity: The network model is simple and easy to design.
3) Ability to handle more relationship types: The network model can handle the
oneto-many and many-to-many relationships.
4) Ease of data access
5) Enhances Data Integrity: In a network model, no member can exist without an
owner. A user must therefore first define the owner record and then the member
record. This ensures the integrity.
6) Data Independence: in the network model, the application programs work
independently of the data. Any changes made in the data characteristics do not affect
the application program.

Disadvantages of network database models

1) System complexity: In a network model, data are accessed one record at a time. This
means that it’s essential for the database designers, administrators, and programmers
to be familiar with the internal data structures to gain access to the data. Therefore, a
user friendly database management system cannot be created using the network
model
2) Lack of Structural independence: Making structural modifications to the database
is very difficult in the network database model as the data access method is
navigational. Any changes made to the database structure require the application
programs to be modified before they can access data. Though the network model
achieves data independence, it still fails to achieve structural independence.

Summary:-

Database design strategies

There are two approaches for developing any database namely:-

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1) Top down data analysis 2) Bottom up data analysis

Top down approach:-this approach starts from the general idea off what is needed for the
system and then work your way down to the more specific details of how the system will
interact. This process involves the identification of different entity types and the definition of
each entity’s attributes. Top down approach generates an output referred to as Entity
Relationship Diagram.
Bottom up approach: - begins with the specific details and moves up to the general. This is
done by first identifying the data elements (items) and then grouping them together in data sets
i.e. this method first identifies the attributes and then groups them to form entities. The output for
this approach is normalized database data that is generated from a normalization process.

Factors to consider while designing an organizational database system

A DBA should use the social technical approach while designing a database system. The social
technical approach puts into consideration the social and technological factors that determine the
effectiveness of a database implementation process.

The social technical approach addresses the following factors/ issues:-

1) Organization issues such as the organization structure, management style, and existing
organization politics and policies etc.

2) People issues such as the targeted end-users skills and knowledge, their likes and dislikes
etc.
3) Technological issues such as the required database, hardware’s, software’s and
networking devices required to setup the database etc.

Note:-Considering the above factors leads to the implementation of database systems that are
socially and technically compatible with an organization.
Database Models 2020