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Minimal Database Strategy
To some people talk of a database strategy will evoke a response of, "OK, that is obvious...", while others might reply, "Nonsense!". But for the average individual or small business enterprise, setting up a Relational Database Management System without a clear, minimal strategy is, to coin a phrase, relational suicide!
Defining such a strategy need not be exhaustive, nor exhausting, but it is absolutely necessary to long term success! No matter how simple your database requirements, a clearly stated design and implementation strategy is as essential and valuable as the data itself!
Planning From Ground Zero
Whether you already have an existing database in need of help, or are just starting your implementation, if you do not yet have a clear database strategy - stop now and make one!
Open a word processor or spiral notebook and record your answers to the following questions:
- What is the main point of keeping this data?
- How do we intend to use this data?
- Who will need to access this data, and how?
- Who will be responsible for administering the database itself?
Development System Requirements
Unless you are really into self-abuse, or abuse of others, do not begin your database development without a readily accessible test-bed at your disposal! If you are attempting to set up a database on a hosted web site, set up a similar system on a computer that you control - and which will not expose others to your mistakes! It really is easy!
- Apache Web server, get it here.
- PHP scripting support, get it here.
- MySQL RDBMS, get it here.
- phpMyAdmin, get it here.
Any time or trouble spent getting these to work on your own system will mean more than money in the bank to the success of your project! Do not proceed without it!
ER Based Design Software
This is one of few times that we recommend that you actually spend money! But you will never spend your money more wisely, at least as far as your computer database system is concerned! Buy Datanamics Dezign For Databases... no whimpering, just do it! Get it here.
Not only will it allow you to graphically model your database, it will generate the table creation SQL statements, basic reports and diagrams, and serve as a single point project manager for the life-cycle of your data! And if your data is of any value at all, that will be a long time!
