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Is it necessary to create a database with as few tables as possible

I've recently started to develop a database for a ~10 person office (it's an internship for me), and I've come up with a conceptual design I am quite happy with. My employers though, wish for me to simplify my design (less tables) because they wish to extend onto the database when I leave them and go back to school.

Two of them have some MSAccess experience, and they seem to know the term "database normalization", but none of them have a CS background. To accommodate this, I'm already going to build in MSAccess, which I do not have fond feelings for. I've explained that the conceptual ER diagram is not a table schema, and still needs to be translated into one and some of the relationships in the ERD might be one table with an entity, and simplifying the schema will lead to a "less normalized" database. The feeling I'm getting is that what they would like is for the database to just barely make it as 2NF, and would love it if it were 1NF.

Should I explain that views can be defined on the schema to make querying simpler? But I do not know how I can explain to them how to extend onto the design once I am gone without trying to teach them database theory, which they don't have time for. Or I could just make it less normalized - they're the ones paying for it and using it? I don't know.

Community
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Saaraneth
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2 Answers2

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Build the client not only what they need, but in most cases you need to give them what they ask for as well; in this case, low normalization gives them both. Not to mention, interns don't often have much room to argue.

So because of all this and the fact that you indicated, "non-expert users" need to maintain this product when you are long gone and this project is out of your hair...you should keep things simple.

Finally, normalization is not always preferable. There are numerous articles debating the pro's and con's.

P.Brian.Mackey
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It is good that you know the concepts of Normalization and schema design. It is important to determine what is the system about? This affects your schema design greatly.

For example if the application is mostly about searching for information and reporting, then there is a type of schema called star schema which can be used. This is not a normalized data view but it helps reduce query complexity.

You can still have good schema by removing unnecessary look-up tables and place the data in files to be loaded by the application. This may cut your table by about 30%.

Your suggestion to create views over the existing schema is a great one also.

If you can determine the queries that will be required you could easily create the necessary views and the reports before you leave.

The last thing you should attempt is to teach users about database theory. Not only because it is usually a long way, but also because the can make mistakes and produce wrong results.

Most users want nothing but push a button. Some consider this too much to do :)

NoChance
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