Database schema design: A real world exampleįor our database schema design example, we'll use PostgreSQL as our RDBMS. But in order to implement the database in practice, you'll need a real RDBMS and SQL. Sure, there's nothing wrong with using diagramming programs-or even pen and paper-to define the overall design of a database. This is the language we use to define the tables, columns, indexes, and other artifacts in our database. The second and most important tool is SQL (structured query language). Examples of RDBMSs include SQL Server, MySQL, and PostgreSQL. The first is an RDBMS, or a relational database management system. There are mainly two tools you'd use to create a database schema. Having explained what a database schema is and why it's important, let's now walk you through how you can design one. How do you create a database schema in practice? To sum it up, database schema design is essential because you want your databases to work as efficiently as possible. On the other hand, it's possible to get to the other extreme where your queries become slow. If your schema isn't structured in an optimal way-e.g., it doesn't follow normalization -that might result in duplicated or inconsistent data. So that's the first reason a database schema is important: you literally can't have a database without one.Īlso, a sloppy design can give you headaches.
Relational database systems-such as Postgres or MySQL-rely on having a schema in place so you can work with them. However, the ones that do will require you to have a structure in place before you start adding data to your database. Not all types of databases make use of a rigid schema-NoSQL databases such as MongoDB come to mind. What is a database schema?Ī database schema, in a nutshell, is the way a given database is organized or structured. Database schema: The fundamentalsīefore you roll up your sleeves to design a database schema, you must have a solid understanding of what that even is and why it matters so much.
Last but not least, we'll get into the practical part of the post, in which you'll see an example of database schema design. Then, we'll talk about how you create schemas in practice. We'll start with some basics, explaining what a database schema is and why it's important. And that's exactly what this post is about. That's why it's so important to learn principles and best practices when it comes to database schema design. Since a given domain or business problem can be modeled in infinitely different ways, it stands to reason that there are comparatively fewer ways of doing it correctly. "Great database schema design" is certainly easier said than done, though. That's why having a great database schema design is a crucial part of effective data management. Poorly designed databases can cause many problems, including a waste of resources, difficult maintenance, and faulty performance.