Designing a relational database requires the identification of functional dependencies that exist between tables in the database. Functional dependencies are relationships between attributes, representing data stored in multiple tables, which help to determine and maintain data integrity (Liu et al., 2020). Generally, functional dependencies can be identified through an examination of how certain attributes depend on other attributes.
Functional Dependencies (FDs) must be correctly determined before developing a relational database, as they form the basis for normalizing the database. This is due to FDs providing information regarding how data will be grouped into separate tables and which columns need to be included within each table (Khan & Khan, 2020). By identifying appropriate FDs it allows a designer to reduce duplication and ensure that all related records are updated across multiple tables when required.
The process of determining FDs begins by examining existing real-world business processes or functions associated with the subject matter being modelled (Khan & Khan, 2020). It is important that these processes are carefully considered in order to identify relevant entities or objects applicable to modelling within the database structure. These entities or objects may then vary depending upon their degree of relevance and importance for user requirements; such as customer purchases or product sales being modelled within a Sales Order System Database application.
When trying to design a database, how would you identify the functional dependencies associated with a relational database
Once entities have been established corresponding attributes must then be defined for each entity according to its individual characteristics (Liu et al., 2020). Attributes refer to pieces of information about an entity associated with particular columns within a given table; examples include Customer Name and Product Price fields which would typically appear in a Sales Orders Table Database structure. An attribute may also contain more than one column if necessary; such as Address comprised of Street Number, Street Name and Town/City columns located in a Customer Table Database structure example. At this stage relationships between entities need also be described so that connections can be formed accordingly when designing relationships between them (Khan & Khan, 2020). These connections may take many forms but generally involve one-to-one versus one-to many scenarios where primary keys are used relating foreign keys from both sides together according to their specified connections via FDs respectively. Which type applies depends on what type of relationship exists between linked tables; for instance customers having one address regardless versus customers potentially having multiple orders at different times etc… .
Once these basic stages have been completed it should now enable identification of any potential functional dependencies present in relation to those specific types of connections referenced above involving several different types of connected elements across various Tables/Column combinations collectively forming known singleton point sets comprising unified Field Objects groups respectively too(Liu et al.,2020 ). Therefore understanding how certain field values rely upon other field values throughout specific interrelationships creates useful hierarchies allowing design decisions based upon practical usage models enabling appropriate content storage management techniques helping facilitate successful implementation . Finally formalization techniques like First Normal Form rule applications help further refine levels ensuring correct overall development fits cohesively together completing desired architecture objectives related primarily towards detailing end user based requirements effectively moving us forward towards satisfying our Functional Dependency goals successfully leading us ever closer towards enacting suitable finalised optimised operational strategies building quality well structured databases surefootedly meeting customer centric demands appropriately after all .