ADVANCED DATABASE SYSTEM | 1

Lesson 1 – Database Development Process

Introduction
Databases are everywhere — from social media apps to online banking. Every time you log in,
post, shop online, or check your grades, a database is working behind the scenes.
This lesson introduces the process of developing databases, the stages in the Database Life
Cycle (DBLC), and how to design one effectively.

1. Components of Information Systems

An Information System (IS) is a set of components that work together to collect, store,
manage, and distribute information.

Main Components:
1. Hardware – The physical devices (servers, computers, storage devices).

○ Example: A school server that stores student records.

2. Software – Programs that process and manage the data.

○ Example: Microsoft Access, MySQL, Oracle.

3. Data – The most important component; raw facts and figures stored in the system.

○ Example: Names, grades, product prices.

4. People – Users and IT staff who manage and use the system.

○ Example: Teachers entering grades, students checking schedules.

5. Processes – The rules, methods, and steps for using the system.

○ Example: A step-by-step enrollment process in a school database.

💡 Example in real life:

In an online shopping platform:

● Hardware: Company servers, customer smartphones

● Software: Shopping app and website

 ADVANCED DATABASE SYSTEM | 2

● Data: Product details, customer orders

● People: Buyers, sellers, IT team

● Processes: Add to cart → Checkout → Payment → Shipping

2. Database Life Cycle (DBLC)

The Database Life Cycle is the step-by-step process of creating, using, and improving a
database.
It starts with understanding what is needed and continues even after the database is built,
because databases are regularly updated and improved.

Stages of DBLC:
1. Requirements Analysis

○ Find out what information the organization needs and how it will be used.

○ Example: A school needs to record student grades, attendance, and fees.

2. Logical Design

○ Create a blueprint of the database using Entity-Relationship (ER) Diagrams.

○ Organize data into tables, set primary keys, and remove redundancy through
normalization.

○ Example: Create a “Students” table with fields like StudentID, Name, and
GradeLevel.

3. Physical Design

○ Focus on performance—how to make the database run faster and handle large
data efficiently.

○ Example: Choosing proper indexes so searches are faster.

4. Implementation and Loading

○ Build the database using a DBMS (e.g., MySQL, Oracle) and add the initial data.

○ Example: Enter all current students’ information.

5. Testing and Evaluation

 ADVANCED DATABASE SYSTEM | 3

○ Check for errors and see if it works as planned.

○ Example: Test if the system correctly calculates grades.

6. Operation and Maintenance

○ Use the database in real life and keep it updated.

○ Example: Add new students each year and update fee records.

💡 Real-Life Analogy:
Building a database is like opening a restaurant:

● Requirements Analysis = Deciding the menu and theme.

● Logical Design = Drawing the layout of the restaurant.

● Physical Design = Buying equipment and arranging the kitchen for efficiency.

● Implementation = Cooking and opening the restaurant.

● Testing = Checking food taste and service speed.

● Maintenance = Cleaning, updating menus, and fixing equipment.

3. Levels of Database Design

Databases can be viewed in three levels:

1. Notional/Conceptual Level – The big picture of the system (what data is needed, not
how it’s stored).

2. Logical Level – How data is structured in tables and relationships.

3. Physical Level – The actual storage and performance optimization.

Example:

● Conceptual: “We need a database for library books and borrowers.”

● Logical: Design tables for Books, Members, and Borrowing records.

● Physical: Decide storage format, indexing, and backup methods.

 ADVANCED DATABASE SYSTEM | 4

4. Steps in Designing a Database

1. Requirement Handling – Define the purpose and goals of the database.

2. Identify Entities and Attributes – Entities = things we store data about (e.g., Students,
Courses). Attributes = details about each entity (e.g., Name, Age).

3. Declare Keys –

○ Primary Key: Uniquely identifies each record.

○ Foreign Key: Connects one table to another.

4. Establish Relationships – Link tables together (one-to-one, one-to-many, many-to-

many).

5. Testing – Ensure the design works and avoids inconsistencies.

6. Data Input – Add the actual data.

💡 Example:
For a Gym Membership Database:

● Entities: Members, Trainers, Classes

● Attributes: MemberName, ContactNumber, TrainerName, ClassTime

● Relationships: A trainer can handle many members (One-to-Many).

5. Centralized vs. Decentralized Database Design

● Centralized Design – Used for small databases with fewer entities. Everything is
planned and controlled from one place.

○ Example: A small café’s inventory system.

● Decentralized Design – Used for large, complex databases with many entities and
relationships. Different parts are designed separately and later integrated.

○ Example: A large hospital system with separate modules for patients, billing,
pharmacy, and staff.
 ADVANCED DATABASE SYSTEM | 5

Summary
● The DBLC has 6 stages: Requirements Analysis, Logical Design, Physical Design,
Implementation, Testing, and Maintenance.

● Database design follows steps like identifying entities, declaring keys, and setting
relationships.

● Centralized design is for small systems; decentralized design is for large, complex ones.

Seatwork
1. Give a real-life example of a system and describe its DBLC stages.

2. Identify three entities and their attributes for a School Event Registration System.

3. Explain when you would use a centralized database design and when you would use a
decentralized one.