From:	Mark Weaver	Date:	Thu May  8 18:14:14 2008
Subject:	Re: Re: Where to start!

Richard Heyes wrote:
>> I do not agree that creating a database which is normalised to3NF is a 
>> waste of time.
> 
> It isn't always, but it is sometimes. When time is a (significant) 
> factor, getting something up and running (which has acceptable 
> performance) may be more impotant than creating a technically perfect 
> solution. In fact creating something that is technically perfect is 
> often just a pipe dream for programmers.
> 
>  > On the contrary, a totally un-normalised database is nothing but a
>> problem waiting to bite you in the a**e.
> 
> So you can:
> 
> a) Create something that gets you to market as fast as possible that is
>    "good enough".
> b) Optimise/adjust the structure later.
> 
> IME though, b) rarely happens.
> 
>  > Computer systems have a habit of
>> growing over time
> 
> Really?
> 
>> ...and if you don't follow the rules of normalisation your database 
>> will end up as the biggest bottleneck.
> 
> Granted it's more likely, but not a given. You just need developers who 
> have discipline, oh and a good memory helps.
> 
>> Anyone who doesn't know how to reach 3NF shouldn't be designing 
>> databases.
> 
> Rubbish. It helps, in particular for how you can optimise you structure 
> without duplicating data (too much), but shouldn't be a requirement.
> 

Me personally I've always found it very productive to take a few hours 
before I begin coding a project, to roughly flow-chart the basics of the 
application, and then layout the db on paper to get a graphical view of 
the tables I'll need, how they relate or don't relate to one another. 
That way when I do actually create the db I'm usually at 3NF.

-- 

Mark
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