A program like Microsoft Access makes it easy to build a database that is fast and optimized. You can choose from the available templates or create your own. If you use a template, all you need to do is plug in your information and voila! If your needs are more complex, you can hire a database expert like Arwkare to build a personalized database.
However what happens when you’ve already paid someone to build your database and they didn’t do an adequate job? Unfortunately, this happens. If your database isn’t running as well as it should, it’s possible that it has a poor design with one or more of these practices.
Poor Normalization
Database normalization is the process of structuring a database to avoid redundant or duplicate information. Unfortunately, some databases are designed on the fly without following the rules of normalization.
At the very least, all databases should be normalized to third normal form. With this setup, each column of a table will be dependent on the primary identifier. If your database doesn’t comply with first, second or third normal form, consider redesigning these tables. We promise – it will pay off in the long run!
Improper Naming
We’re not going to get into the details on how to best name things as this is a topic in itself. What we want to stress is the need for consistency. The names you choose for your database are not just for identifying objects but also to allow future programmers, users, etc. to quickly and easily understand your database. In other words, no one should have to read an exhaustive manual to find out what a name means.
Lack of Documentation
When you carefully name your objects, columns and so forth, it makes it clear to everyone what your database is modeling. Follow a consistent naming standard as well as definitions on tables, columns, relationships and default and check constraints. Poor design tends to have a lack of documentation, and this makes it difficult for users to understand your database.
Not Using Stored Procedures
Stored procedures refer to SQL code that is saved to be used over and over again. While procedures might take a bit more effort at first, they’re worth it in the long run. Stored procedures offer the following advantages:
- Quick response times because the procedures are created and stored
- Option to group all the required SQL statements in a procedure and execute them at once
- Avoid repetition of code
- Use additional SQL functionalities
- Use the code in any number of applications
Lack of Testing
When it comes to testing, we recommend having a strict testing plan in place. This plan should go through every part of the development process to identify bugs and diagnose and fix problems that would otherwise lead to corruption. Good databases are frequently tested and end up running optimally because of it.
The best way to ensure a functional, efficient database design is by working with the right team of database development experts. Arkware has decades of experience building, repairing and optimizing databases and we always follow the best practices. Contact us today to discuss your database needs.