1.6.3 Supporting users and user processes Use of a database involves user processes (either application programs or database tools) which must be developed outside of the database development. In terms of the three-schema architecture we now need to address the development of the external schema. This will define the data accessible to each user process or group of user processes. In reality, most DBMSs, and SQL itself, do not have many facilities to support the explicit definition of the external schema. However, by using built-in q
1.6.1 Realising the design So far we have been concerned only with the specification of a logical schema. We now need our database to be created according to the definitions we have produced. For an implementation with a relational DBMS, this will involve the use of SQL to create tables and constraints that satisfy the logical schema description and the choice of appropriate storage schema (if the DBMS permits that level of control). One way to achieve this is to write the appropriate SQL DDL statements into a f
1.6 Implementation Implementation involves the construction of a database according to the specification of a logical schema. This will include the specification of an appropriate storage schema, security enforcement, external schema, and so on. Implementation is heavily influenced by the choice of available DBMS, database tools and operating environment. There are additional tasks beyond simply creating a database schema and implementing the constraints – data must be entered into the tables, issues relating
1.5 Design Database design starts with a conceptual data model and produces a specification of a logical schema; this will usually determine the specific type of database system (network, relational, object-oriented) that is required, but not the detailed implementation of that design (which will depend on the operating environment for the database such as the specific DBMS available). The relational representation is still independent of any specific DBMS; it is another conceptual data model. Our
1.4 Analysis Data analysis begins with the statement of data requirements and then produces a conceptual data model. The aim of analysis is to obtain a detailed description of the data that will suit user requirements so that both high and low level properties of data and their use are dealt with. These include properties such as the possible range of values that can be permitted for attributes such as, in the Open University example for instance, the course code, course title and credit points.
1.1 Introduction In this course we look at an outline of the stages involved in the development of a database. We consider the broader issue of how to decide what should be in a database and how to structure the tables that should be included. Our aim is to give you a basic development method so that you can see how a basic database system is developed. We don't argue that this specific method is the most applicable to any given situation – however, we do consider that this method is straightforward and wil
Learning outcomes After studying this course, you should be able to: describe the key points of the waterfall model applied to database development appreciate the roles of various development artefacts, such as the data requirements document, conceptual data model and such like used to communicate between activities in the database development life cycle communicate effectively about aspects of the development of databases.
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Taking your first steps into higher education
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