Blueprint for building a new database

[Westat1]

Hi,

I am in the process of building a new database, and thought for it might be best to have a blueprint for this one, given the client is a pain in the a55. What do people use? Does anyone have a template that I could look at?

Thanks,

[Nick_W]

What kind of database, and what do you mean by 'blue print'? Do you mean like a list of the fields and what they are (darnit, can't remember the proper word for that!)

Nick

[edited by: oilman at 5:09 pm (utc) on Sep. 3, 2002]

[txbakers]

I think the word is schema.

Yes, a blueprint is always a good idea. People use Visio, but an excel spreadsheet will work just as fine.

It's just a big drawing with lines connecting keys. It's well worth the time to make sure everything is clear before you start coding anything.

[buzzmaster]

I've used "Dezign for databases" by [datanamic.com...] . It works with MySql, etc. It does the trick.

[Nick_W]

I think the word is schema

You can see that I've not done any DB work in a while...;)

Nick

[PaulPaul]

Actually the word, or acronym is ERD ( Entity-Relationship Diagram ). This is a method of graphically displaying a database structure along with all its relationships.

Schema is a method to describe a database when it is already created. ie. SQL Scripts.

[Westat1]

Thanks. I was going to use Visio, but can't find the database stencil and too lazy to create my own.

I know (or atleast think I know) the major "buckets" (or fields) that I will record but I am having a hard time setting up the various relationships.

How do you create it in excel?

[Nick_W]

No, schema is the word I was looking for... but you're ERD is pretty cool ;)

Nick

[PaulPaul]

I wish ERD was mine, lol. I believe it was formally introduced to the computing public in 1979.

I have a definition of Schema for you:

Schema- the structure of a database system, described in a formal language supported by the database management system (DBMS). In a relational database, the schema defines the tables, the fields in each table, and the relationships between fields and tables.
Schemas are generally stored in a data dictionary. Although a schema is defined in text database language.

[aspdaddy]

Select, or Access:-) is good for knocking up an ERD.I dont think Visio actually has any special features for helping build ERDs.

SQL Server has a diagram feature that includes datatypes as well.

[txbakers]

To use excel, you just list your tables in columns, with the fieldnames as rows. Start the related columns near the fields that match the first, and so on. You can even put a blank column in between to use for drawing lines from field to field.