U.M. (Windows)

Using data from related files 10-15
Planning a relational database
An efficient relational database organizes and stores information that
you can retrieve and use to suit your needs. Related database files work
together to ensure that the correct data is available when you need it.
It’s a good idea to plan a database on paper first. Follow these general
steps to plan a relational database:
1. Begin by asking questions, like these:
1 What information will the database hold?
1 What database files are needed?
1 What fields will each database file contain?
1 What common data exists among the database files?
2. Determine the database files and the data they will include.
When you understand what you want the database to accomplish,
you’re ready to list all the database files it will include. For example,
for a travel agency, you might want a group of files that holds all the
information about your clients, the trips your company offers, and
accounting data.
As you design the files, think about the fields you want to include and
which fields will contain common data.
Keep each file simple. For example, a Route file might have fields for
a route identification number, the departure city, and the destination
city. A Trip file might have fields for a trip identification number and
trip name. You can combine data from the Route file in records of the
Trip file.