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Designing Databases for Biological Research. Brian R. Mitchell Fall 2008. Introduction. Participants Syllabus Website: http://www.uvm.edu/~bmitchel/databases.html Database options at UVM. What is a Database?. Definition Keys Structured Query Language (SQL) Relationships.
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Designing Databases for Biological Research Brian R. Mitchell Fall 2008
Introduction • Participants • Syllabus • Website: http://www.uvm.edu/~bmitchel/databases.html • Database options at UVM
What is a Database? • Definition • Keys • Structured Query Language (SQL) • Relationships
Relationships • One-to-one Technicians Contact_Info Amy Amy’s address Joe Joe’s Address Fred Fred’s Address
Relationships • One-to-many Site Count_Data 286 (+ site fields) 286 (species 1) 286 (species 2) 286 (species 3)
Relationships • Many-to-many Students Classes Ralph BIO 165 Susan NR 385 ?
Relationships • Many-to-many Students Classes Ralph BIO 165 Susan NR 385 Schedule Student & Class
Naming Conventions • Keep it short • Make it meaningful • No spaces – use underscores “_” • Avoid @#%$*& special characters • Be consistent
Naming Fields • Be specific • One piece of information per field • No calculated fields • Identify your keys
Naming Objects • Conventional abbreviations for objects: • Tables • tbl = data table • tlu = lookup table • xref = linking table • Queries = qry • Forms • frm = form • frm_sub or fsub = subform • Reports • rpt = report • rpt_sub or rsub = subreport • Pages = pag (not widely used) • Macros = mac (not widely used) • Modules = mod
Avoid Reserved Words avg key property count max section currency memo set date min sum desc name time exists number type group order value index percent year
Data Types • Number • Yes/No • Currency • Date/Time • AutoNumber • Text • Memo • Hyperlink • OLE • Attachment
Database Design • Single Database or Front End / Back End? • Normalization
Database Design • Non-normalized Spreadsheet-style Site Date Observer Bird 24 7/1/04 BRM BTBW 24 7/1/04 BRM OVEN 24 7/1/04 BRM YBSA
Database Design • First Normal Form (1NF) Each field contains one value NO YES Coordinates UTM_E & UTM_N Birds seen Separate table
Database Design • Second Normal Form (2NF) If you have a composite key, no data relates to only one of the keys NO YES Employee ID – Key Employee ID Privilege ID – Key Privilege ID Privilege Name & Privilege ID Privilege Name
Database Design • Third Normal Form (3NF) Information in the table must not be related to a non-key field NO YES Orders TableOrders Table Order ID – Key Order ID – Key Order Date Order Date Employee ID Employee IDF Employee Last Name Employees Table Employee ID Employee Last Name
Database Design • Plan your database • Why bother? • Iterative process • Tables • Relationships • Fields • Rules