Database Development Process
Database Development Process: The database is the fundamental component of the information system of an organization and any organization is blind without the data. In computerized environment, the information system includes the resources such as database, DBMS software, the application programs etc.
The database development process is very important and creative task. The database development process consist of two activities. The first activity involves the design of the data content and the structure of the database. The second activity is related to the design of the database applications. The two activities are closely related to each other.
In order to build an effective database and related applications, the development team thoroughly understands the structure and data of the organization. To do this, the team creates a data model that identifies the data to be stored in the database and define their structures and relationship among them.
Strategies for developing database
There are two strategies for developing a database
- Top-down Approach
- Bottom-up Approach
Top down
Top down approach starts from the highest level component of the hierarchy and proceeds towards lower level of hierarchy.
Bottom up
Bottom up method uses the same approach as top-down method but bottom-up approach starts from the lowest level component of the hierarchy and proceeds toward higher level to the top-level component.
An organization needs a methodology and related set of tools to develop the information system architecture. Conceptually a methodology includes a set of instruction. A variety of tools are required to support the development of information system. CASE (Computer Aided Software Engineering) tools provide automated support for some portion of the system development process of the same data file of same organization. CASE tools and methodologies are often used for the system development process. A CASE tool is generally designed to support one or more methodologies which can be used for important process in the organization.
Top-Down Approach