Relational Database Design Concepts

Duration: 3 days | Price: $1495 | Class Dates:

Students Will Learn:
  • Building a Logical Data Model
  • Entity-Relationship Diagrams
  • Data Normalization Forms
  • SQL Statement Syntax
  • Manipulating Query Results
  • Designing for Performance
  • Table Indexing

Description: This relational database design class develops relational database design skills and techniques. Practical methodologies such as E-R diagrams and normalization forms are emphasized. Attention is placed on designing for data integrity and efficiency at the same time. During hands on lab sessions students are required to design multiple database models from business requirements and specifications. Through hands on experience using SQL programming code to create, populate and manage databases, students will experience the necessity of proper design methods and gain an in depth understanding of the link between design, creation, and utilization. The impact of alternative designs on maintainability and database performance is emphasized.

The information in this course is also contained in the SQL Server Administration and SQL Server Developer courses. Students requiring those additional skills should register for those courses instead.

Prerequisites: General computer knowledge. Familiarity with relational database concepts is helpful but not required.

Relational Database Design Concepts Course Overview:

Developing Relational Databases
  • Relational Database Fundamentals
  • Database Development Methodology Overview

Transforming to Physical Design

  • Migrating Entities to Tables
  • Selecting Primary Keys
  • Defining Columns
  • Enforcing Relationships with Foreign Keys
  • Implementing Exclusive and Recursive Relationships
  • Implementing Supertypes / Subtypes
  • Enforcing Business Rules
    • NOT NULL, UNIQUE and CHECK Constraints
    • Assigning DEFAULT Values
    • DELETE and UPDATE Rules
  • Historical and Control Tables
  • Database VIEWs
  • Estimating Table Sizes
  • Designing for Security: Users and Roles
  Building a Logical Data Model
  • Understanding Data Analysis and Modeling
  • Identifying Entities and Attributes
  • Isolating Keys
  • Relationships between Entities (One-to-One, One-to-Many, Many-to-Many)
  • Creating Entity-Relationship Diagrams
  • Complex Modeling Issues
    • Exclusive and Recursive Relationships
    • Supertype / Subtype Entities
  • Normalization as a Design Technique
  • Progressive Steps to Normalization (First, Second, and Third Normal Form)
  • Higher Levels of Normalization
  • Using Normalization to Build an E-R Diagram
Designing for Performance
  • Transactional vs. Query Tables
  • Indexing
  • Denormalization
  • Row Column Layout
  • Table Partitioning
  • Addressing Data Contention
  • Storage Considerations
  Other Design Issues
  • Selecting Database or Database Management System Software
  • Operating Environment Considerations
  • Referential Integrity Enforcement and Implications
Constructing the Database
  • Creating the Database Objects
    • The Schema
    • Creating Tables, Indexes, Constraints and Views
    • Using SYNONYMs
    • Using Table and Column COMMENTs
  • Creating ROLEs and GRANTing Privileges
  • Managing Database Objects
    • Dropping Tables, Indexes and Views
    • Revoking Privileges
    • ALTERing Tables, Indexes and Views
    • Enabling and Disabling Constraints
  • Backup and Recovery Planning
  Populating the Database
  • Creating and Manipulating Data
    • INSERT
    • UPDATE
    • DELETE
    • TRUNCATE
  • Controlling transactions
    • COMMIT
    • ROLLBACK
    • SAVEPOINT
  • Data Loading Utilities
Basic SQL Queries
  • Displaying Table Structures
  • SELECTing Column Data FROM a Table
  • SELECT DISTINCT values
  • COUNTing rows
  • Restricting Rows Using the WHERE Clause
  • Using Operators
    • Logical
    • Mathematical
    • Comparison
    • Concatenation
  • Sorting Results Using ORDER BY
  • Joining Multiple tables
  Manipulating and Summarizing Results
  • Using Row Functions
  • Using Column Functions
  • Handling NULLs
  • Aggregating Results Using GROUP BY
  • Restricting Groups with the HAVING Clause
Advanced Query Techniques
  • Outer Joins
  • Set processing: UNION, MINUS and INTERSECT
  • Subqueries
  • Tips for Developing Complex SQL Queries

Student Testimonials

"In the ten years I've been an IT professional and taken 1-3 courses per year in that time, I found this instructor to be the best educator bar none. He is extremely articulate and is impeccably skilled in hearing the real need behind the question. He is energetic, enthusiastic and fun. Humor is used effectively in his presentations...Because of this training experience, I prefer HOTT courses to other courses such as Global Knowledge, etc."
– T.L., W.L. Gore and Associates

"Fantastic instructor – obviously well-versed and has a lot of real-world experience. Was able to help me apply the course material to needs at my job. Excellent instructor, excellent class."
– J.N., Mary T. Inc

"The instructor is wonderful! She conveyed the material clearly and with the right amount of detail. Plus she held my attention throughout the class."
– B.D., Westvaco

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