Assignment 1: Creating The Database Design

Assignment 1 Creating The Database Design In This Assignment You Des

Design your database tables using a word-processing program, focusing on the logic and structure of the tables. Determine the necessary tables by listing each table name and its fields, avoiding data redundancy. Create a transaction table to record business events related to car rentals. Use markings (such as an asterisk) to identify key fields, and consider using compound primary keys where needed. Document your tables similarly to the example format provided, and include calculated fields only within queries, not as stored fields in tables. Prepare your database design for review before developing the Access database in the subsequent assignment. Additionally, populate the tables with sample data, including your own fictitious customer record, and add sample orders such as a monthly cat box and another item.

Paper For Above instruction

Developing an efficient and logical database design is fundamental in database management systems, particularly in scenarios involving rental transactions and customer management. This assignment explores the process of designing a structured database by creating tables, identifying primary keys, avoiding redundancy, and documenting the structure systematically.

Introduction to Database Design Principles

Database design is a critical initial step in creating an effective and scalable information system. It involves analyzing the business requirements and translating them into a structured collection of tables, where each table models a specific entity or relationship within the system. Good design minimizes redundancy, enhances data integrity, and simplifies maintenance and querying.

Identifying Necessary Tables

In the context of a car rental system, essential tables typically include Customers, Vehicles, Rentals, and Transaction or Rental Details. The Customers table stores customer-specific information such as ID, name, email, address, gender, and credit card details. The Vehicles table holds car information, including vehicle ID, make, model, year, and registration details. The Rentals table links customers to the vehicles they rent and records rental dates, duration, and status. Lastly, the Transaction table captures rental events, payments, and additional details related to each transaction.

Design Considerations

When designing these tables, it is vital to mark the primary key fields clearly using an asterisk or similar notation. These keys uniquely identify each record within the table. Where multiple fields jointly identify a record uniquely, use a compound primary key. To avoid redundancy, do not store duplicate data; for example, instead of duplicating customer addresses across records, link via foreign keys. Calculated data, such as total rental cost, should be created dynamically in queries rather than stored as static fields.

Documentation and Formatting

Tables should be documented systematically, with clear labels for each field, data types, and key indicators. The format should resemble standard database documentation practices. This clarity facilitates understanding, review, and future modifications. Once the design is finalized, it can be reviewed with instructors to ensure compliance with best practices before moving into actual database development.

Sample Data Population

To test the design, populate the tables with sample data. For example, add a fictitious customer in the Customers table with a unique ID, email, address, gender, and credit card number. Place sample orders, such as monthly cat box subscriptions and additional items, to mimic real use cases. This practice verifies that the schema supports necessary data and relationships effectively.

Conclusion

Robust database design is foundational for effective data management, especially in rental systems requiring accurate tracking of transactions, customers, and assets. By carefully planning tables, keys, and relationships, developers can create scalable, reliable databases that meet business needs while reducing redundancy and maintaining integrity.

References

• Coronel, C., & Morris, S. (2015). Database Systems: Design, Implementation, & Management (11th ed.). Cengage Learning.