Databases Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words - 1

Databases - Essay Example Relational Databases A relational database model refers to a database, which has been set up in such a way that the data in the tables is easily accessed and retrieved by the user when the need arises. This is the data model, which is mostly preferred when it comes to setting up and storing data as opposed to other models such as relational database models and the networked model. In the recent past. This model has been widely implemented in thing such as storage of financial records among others. The main reason why databases that take up this model are more on demand is due to their relative ease of understanding. This is despite the fact that they are not very much efficient. The inefficiency, which is associated with this database model, is however, covered up by the fact that computers that are in use in the present day are more powerful as compared to back then when the power in computing had not been realized. Normalization There is another aspect, which comes up when dealing with databases. This is to do with the normalization of data in the database. Normalization refers to that process through which the fields and the tables that are existent in a relational database are organized in an orderly manner for the purpose of minimizing the redundancies and inefficiencies that may arise. What happens in this case is that a large table may be decomposed into several smaller and less redundant tables. At the same time, the relationships that are present in these tables are further defined. The main reason why the database can be broken down into several tables with relationships between them is for easy updating. In this case, the data is isolated so that a change in one area, in this case the change being a deletion, modification or updating of data is done on only one table as opposed to all the tables in the database. The change, which is orchestrated on one table, is performed on all the tables that are in the relationship. The aspect of efficiency and re duced redundancy comes up in this case. The user is in a position to handle the data in the database is a more organized and easier manner. When it comes to normalization, there is the first normal form, the second normal form and the third normal form. The third normal form tables are usually the ones, which are majorly free from any anomalies, which may come up when handling data. The main reason why normalization is required to make the database free from undesirable dependencies such as deletion and updating. It is also needed for the purpose of making the relational database model more informative to the average user. Logical Database Design This refers to the development of the database while defining the dependencies and relationships that may come up in the database. The data and information, which is gained in the process, is then arranged in a logical manner and transferred into those objects of storage, which are supported by the database. These storage objects in the cas e of a relational database refers to the tables into which there are rows and columns/ Physical Database Design The physical design of the database is more concerned with the structuring of the data onto the storage space together with its configuration. There is a lot of detailed information, which is developed in the process. An example in this case is the definition of data elements and the indexing option among various others. More detailed specifications of the system are developed in this case.