A Review of Physical Database Design

A Review of Physical Database Design

Florida Institute of Technology

Abstract

The textbook Modern Database Management states that the primary goal of physical database design is data processing efficiency. Thus the physical database design process must be one which keeps this goal in mind. (Hoffer, Venkataraman & Topi, 2011) Many database management systems are designed to have data integrity controls built into the physical structure of the fields and controls enforced by the database management system on those fields. The textbook Modern Database Management lists some typical integrity controls that a database management system may support. One must note that physical database design process is complex and is more art than science. (Chen, 2006)

The textbook Modern Database Management states that the primary goal of physical database design is data processing efficiency. Thus the physical database design process must be one which keeps this goal in mind. The author has experience using databases that are not designed to perform well. In other words there is nothing more frustrating than waiting on the database to process a request or search query. Not only does this time represent a loss in employees productivity it also shows poor management of the computer resources used to host the database. This paper will briefly examine some of the key points to effective physical database design and explore how these steps relate to the end user’s experience. (Hoffer, Venkataraman & Topi, 2011)

Before a design effort can progress full speed ahead, the designer must first take time to cognize the business. Understanding the business involves understanding the entities, data, and rules within an organization, and then adapting these attributes of the business into a business model. Then, the designer must have a solid understanding of the proposed database model. Finally, the designer will convert the business model into a database model, using a design methodology, whether automated or a manual process. (Ryan Stephens & Ronald Plew, 2002)

As stated earlier the physical design process must keep data processing efficiency as one of its main goals. Following table list general steps of physical database design

Step Description

1 Requirements collection and analysis

2 Conceptual database design

3 Choice of a DBMS

4 Data model mapping (also called logical database design)

5 Physical database design

6 Database system implementation

(Elmasri,