Database Design Fundamentals

Good database design is the foundation of any successful application. Poor design decisions early on can lead to performance issues, data inconsistency, and maintenance nightmares down the road.

Normalization

Database normalization helps eliminate data redundancy and ensures data integrity. Understanding the different normal forms (1NF, 2NF, 3NF) is crucial for creating efficient database schemas.

Indexing Strategy

Proper indexing can dramatically improve query performance. However, over-indexing can slow down write operations. Understanding when and how to create indexes is essential for database optimization.

Relationships and Constraints

Define clear relationships between tables using foreign keys and constraints. This ensures data integrity and helps prevent orphaned records and inconsistent data states.

Performance Considerations

Consider query patterns, expected data volume, and access patterns when designing your database schema. Sometimes denormalization is necessary for performance reasons.