Summary

This chapter introduces the concepts and considerations driving database development. There is no question that data is important to users. Most companies simply cannot operate without their customer and product lists, accounts receivable and accounts payable, and payroll information. Even very small companies must efficiently manage their business data.

Good database design means much more than sitting down and knocking together a few tables. Very often, poor database design habits come back to haunt developers and users in the form of missing or erroneous information on screens and printed reports. Users quickly tire of re-entering the same information over and over again, and business managers and owners expect database applications to save time and money, not contribute to a business’s overhead.