Database Design 201

Database Design

Database design is generally the most integral part of advanced web site design.  Selecting a database server should be a primary concern when you begin to plan a new web site.  Selecting a database can be done in a few ways but a primary concern relates to the amount of traffic that you expect on your web site.  You can change the database utilized on your web site at any time, however, depending on the site design, there may be a substantial amount of work. 

Important Note:  If you are not dedicated to a particular technology, make sure that your site is designed so that your database can be easily changed. 

Example: A very popular open source programming language called PHP, makes it very timely and costly to change your database server.  Each line of code linked to a database, is specifically written to that database.  If you later decide to switch your database, you will need to rewrite every connection to the database.  This is different than using a language like Active Server pages and ODBC.  If you use ODBC, you simply need to change the ODBC connection while not changing any very much code at all.    One of the primary concerns when Here are a few sites that may help you out on your quest:

Popular Database Servers:
	Microsoft SQL Server
	MySQL
	Informix
	IBM DB2
	Microsoft Access
	4th Dimension
	Sybase
	Fox Pro
	Oracle
	File Maker

When you visit these sites, you will want to learn about the databases and try to determine if which may be right for you.  If you have a high powered project, and you expect high numbers of traffic, you will want to select either Oracle, IBM DB2, or MS SQL Server.

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Database Design (Continued)

These three servers are scalable, handle significant traffic, and importantly you will be able to find good developers.  The second tier of databases include programs such as MS SQL, MySQL, MS Fox Pro, Informix, and  Sybase.  These programs are all solid programs and suitable for most projects.  The last set of databases should only be used in limited situations; Microsoft Access, 4th Dimension, File Maker, Fox Pro.

Once you select a database, and begin to develop the software surrounding your project, you begin to lock your project into the programs and servers surrounding it.  As a project is completed, business processes, reports, and employees will begin to become familiar with how to manage the data within the current system.  So if you must hastily change your database server, you should expect to incur significant costs.  Programmers will need to rewrite code, employees will need to spend time learning the new systems, and your database administrator will need to learn a new system.

Most projects that utilize database design will require professional programmers and database administrators.  If your company is looking to implement a professional and scalable solution that will be critical for your business, you should contact our company.  We can help you decide what is the best way to proceed with your project.  Selecting a database is one of the most important decisions that you will need to make when deciding on putting together a web site.

If you are planning to learn how to administrate a database and integrate it with a web site, it will take you a significant amount of time.  Most server-side programming languages that interface with databases require a base knowledge of basic programming.  You will need to have a base knowledge of condition programming (if-then-else).  Don't expect that you can learn this in one weekend, or even within 6 months.  This process can be simplified by using web design software.  If you have design questions, please don't hesitate to visit our contact us page.  If you are building your own site or want to find out about the services we offer, please visit our Contact Us page and we will be glad to help you.

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