Relational databases are formed by arranging interrelated tables, which can be easily administered and operated in different ways as you want without rearranging the database tables. SQL interactive querying can extract information from relational databases and gather data for analysis and reporting purposes. In the data-centric business administration processes, relational DBs will also help in making an important decision based on the data.
Relational database advantages
One major benefit of a relational database is that it lets the users classify data into various categories for efficient storage. Some more advantages of relational DB’s are as below.
- Very simple model
Considering all types of data structures, relational DB systems are very simple, and it does not need any complex database structuring or querying. It also does not need any complicated architecture like hierarchical structuring or definitions. Following a very simple structure, only basic SQL queries are required to handle the relational model DBs and no complex queries needed to be designed.
- Accuracy
In relational DB systems, multiple database tables are interrelated using a primary key to foreign key concepts. It makes data to be non-repetitive, and there is also no chance for data duplication.
- Quick and easy access
In relational DB, there is no pathway or patterns to access data, whereas many other databases can be accessed only by navigating through a complex hierarchical model. Anyone who has access to the database can query on relational databases.
- Integrity of data
Data integrity is also a crucial characteristic of relational DBs. Structured data entries and legitimate validations will ensure that the data stored in the database confines within a suitable arrangement, and the data necessary to create relationships are present. This relational reliability among the database tables also helps prevent records from being imperfect, unrelated, or isolated.
- Flexibility
Relational database systems are also very flexible by possessing the qualities of levelling up, expanding, and accommodating the constantly shifting needs. This also helps to facilitate increasing among incoming data and also can update and delete it whenever needed. This model also conforms to the database configurations’ changes, which can be easily applied without crashing data. For database-related queries, you can take the assistance of reliable remote DBA services like RemoteDBA.com.
Setting up a relational database
Let us further discuss the steps involved in creating a relational DB.
Creation of a database charter
Before you start with the database, one should first identify what to accomplish from it. You need to think of. You need to think of the mission and purpose statements to define the charter of the DB. The more complex your application will be, the more detailed your character may be. The most crucial part of this step is to closely examine the form of your current data and how it will be stored in the database.
Prepare a list
Once the data charter is finished, you need to list the major tables of the database you are doing to create. You need to prepare a draft list of all the data items and tables. While doing this, keep in mind that all the entities which are likely to be the real-world objects needed to be included in the list.
Add the keys
For each database created, you must include a column list that can uniquely identify each row of the table. This combination of columns is also called the ‘Primary Key’ for that particular table. At this stage, you also have to figure out the foreign keys for each table design and also to add the most appropriate ID fields.
Normalization
Next is a very important step in the database set up. Normalization is the process of eliminating any redundancy of data and problems related to it in database design. For normalizing your current databases, you should first identify the existing problems related to the design and correct those by creating more tables if needed. There are five levels of data normalization as five normal forms as below.
- 1NF or First Normal Form
- 2NF or Second Normal Form
- 3NF or Third Normal Form
- 4NF or Fourth Normal Form
- 5NF or Fifth Normal Form
Some of the corrections needed to be done at this point are:
Maintain consistency using the same field names or the fields used as the primary or foreign keys. Considering the data redundancy, a table in the first normal form will always be free of data redundancy. The 2NF or second normal form applies to the composite tables that mean the table contains the primary key, which is made of two or more tables. A table is in 3NF or third normal form when it is already 2NF, and also the columns in the table depend on the whole primary key, and none of the other fields are dependent on each other.
Denormaliing
Once you come across the normalization and denormalization rules according to the needs, the database may operate much more efficiently. For example, data redundancy in your database may increase performance. So, the next step of adding more redundancy to enhance your enterprise database’s overall efficiency and performance is known as denormalization. Also, learn more about Data Recovery Softwares.
Using the authentic SQL names
Looking back at your data design process, all names you used may be self-descriptive, and it may be so easy to remember as those do the same things that each column represents. However, it is a good design practice to avoid the SQL dialects with spaces as “Product ID” can be renamed as “ProductID” or with an underscore as “Product_ID.” You should not use any special characters other than _, $, or # while creating SQL names. Also, make sure that the length is not more than 128 characters and keep names short and descriptive.
By following all the above steps, you may also try to represent your final data model by drawing an Entity-Relationship Diagram or ERD to format your database properly. You can create a compliant and functional relational database by following these steps; however, each step’s customization may differ based on the unique goals of your enterprise database administration
