Why Should You Be Concerned with Database Design?

Some of you who work with relational database management system (RDBMS) application programs may wonder why you should be concerned with database design. After all, most programs come with sample databases that you can copy and modify to suit your own needs, and you can even borrow tables from the sample databases and use them in other databases that you’ve created. Some programs also provide tools that will guide you through the process of defining and creating tables. However, these tools don’t actually help you design a database—they merely help you create the physical tables that you will include in the database.

What you must understand is that it’s better for you to use these tools after you’ve created the logical database structure. RDBMS programs provide the design tools and the sample databases to help minimize the time it takes you to implement the database structure physically. Theoretically, reducing implementation time gives you more time to focus on creating and building end-user applications.