Teaching Database Design Concepts

Teaching Database Design Concepts

With Access 2010

Session OutlineTwo Part

Lecture/Discussion/SharingHands-on

PracticalHelpful

ObjectivesChallenges

Student background/knowledge/learningDatabase Design Concepts

Includes logical and physicalAccess 2010

Can implement design using Datasheet view

Our ApproachIntegration and more

Learning OutcomesIdentify and define the information that

is needed to design a databaseCreate conceptual and logical db

designsBuild a relational database that provides

users with queries, forms, and reportsUnderstand core terms, concepts, and

tools

Learning OutcomesDesign and maintain relational db

tablesCreate Select and Action queriesCreate normalized relationships

between tables, apply validation rules, and referential integrity principles

Design and modify reports and forms

ChallengesPerceived knowledge versus actual

knowledgeVery little or no previous experience

with AccessNo understanding of when to use No connection to real-worldLooks different from other Office apps

More ChallengesHouse analogy

Need a blueprint before you can buildGIGO (garbage in, garbage out)Teaching approach

Skills firstConcepts firstIntegrate

Key DB Design ConceptsEntity

Person, place, thing, event (noun)Attribute

Property of an entity (adjective, adverb)Relationship

Association between entities

Key DB Design ConceptsDatabase

Structure that can house information about multiple types of entities, the attributes of these entities, and the relationships among the entities.

Relational DatabasePerceived by users to be a collection of

tables; two-dimensional named tables

DBMS (software)Design structure of databaseCreate data entry formsValidate dataSort and manipulate dataQuery the databaseProduce reports

Goals of Database Design

Input set of user requirements

Output database structure capable of supporting

user requirements

Database Design Step 1 Information-level design

gather user requirementsdesign a database that meets

requirements as cleanly as possibleindependent of DBMS

Database Design Step 2Concerned with characteristics of

specific DBMSMust resolve issues such as

column namesdata typenumber of columnsdata length

General Design Guidelines

Identify the tables (entities)Determine the primary keys (unique

attribute)Determine additional fields (attributes)Determine relationships among tables

General Design Guidelines (cont)

Determine data types for fieldsIdentify and remove unwanted

redundancyStoring a piece of data in more than one

placeDetermine a storage locationDetermine additional properties for

attributes

Catch 22Students need some understanding of

concepts before they create database objects.

Students think concepts are “boring” and want to get their hands on the software.

Help is on the way!Access 2010

Use Datasheet view to implement designVisually see columns as you create themAssign data typesAdd new fieldsChange field sizeAdd validation rulesAdd captions

A Database ExampleCamashaly Design Group provides custom marketing solutions for the service, non-profit, and retail sectors. The company specializes in designing and maintaining Web sites and using social networking Web sites for online marketing. Camashaly uses business analysts to work collaboratively with clients.

Camashaly would like to organize the data on clients and business analysts in to a database managed by Access 2010.

Applying the DatabaseDesign Guidelines to Camashaly Design

Group

Client Number

Client Name Street City State Postal Code

BA53 Bavant Animal Hospital 134 Main Burles NC 28817BB32 Babbage CPA Firm 464 Linnell Austin SC 28796BC76 Buda Community Clinic 867 Ridge Buda NC 27032CJ29 Catering by Jenna 123 Second Granger NC 27036GA74 Grant Antiques 78 Catawba Georgetown NC 28794GF56 Granger Foundation 65 Simpson Granger NC 27036HC10 Hendley County Hospital 216 Rivard Austin SC 28796KD21 KAL Design Studio 116 Pine Georgetown NC 28794KG04 Kyle Grocery Cooperative 421 First Kyle SC 28798ME14 Mike's Electronic Stop 234 Gilham Georgetown NC 28794PJ34 Patricia Jean Florist 345 Magee Kyle SC 28798SL77 Smarter Law Associates 764 Main Burles NC 28817TB17 The Bikeshop 346 Austin Buda NC 27032WE05 Walburg Energy Alternatives 12 Polk Walburg NC 28819WS01 Woody Sporting Goods 578 Central Walburg NC 28819

Word table

Excel workbook

Business Analyst Number

Last Name First Name Street City State Postal Code

11 Kerry Cordelia 251 Painter Georgetown NC 2879414 Martinez Manuel 3125 Steel Kyle SC 2879727 Liu Jan 265 Marble Byron SC 2879535 Scott Jeff 1925 Pine Georgetown NC 28794

Word table

Excel workbook

Our ApproachIntegrate concepts and DBMSIntroduce common database objects

TablesFormsQueriesReports

Use Datasheet view for one tableUse Design view for another table

Our Approach (cont)Import data from other Office

applicationsLess emphasis on typingMore realistic

Use Layout view Easier to visualize changes

Our Approach (cont)Show routine database operations

Backing up a databaseRenaming objectsDeleting objectsCompacting a database

AdvantagesProvides an overview of database toolsFollows the database creation process

from design to implementationEmphasizes the data independence

feature of a databaseUses real-world situationsEncourages critical thinkingEncourages retention

Your TurnTry it out

Thank youPhil and Mary