Chapter 3 - Introduction to Database Design

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Even if you know how to create tables and fields, you’ll need more than that knowledge to turn a pile of paper documents, or a set of imported tables, into a useful database. Whether you’re creating a small database to store information about your CD collection or developing an enterprise database to run on the Web, attention to design at the beginning will save time later on. Although Microsoft Access lets you change your database structure after you create forms and reports, doing so can be time-consuming. It’s best to take some time at the start to analyze your requirements and set up the database tables in the most efficient manner.

This chapter begins with a brief overview of databases. Next, database design is introduced and a design example is presented. The chapter finishes with a review of database terminology, which we’ll use throughout the rest of this book.