Database Design

We are getting down to the physical design of the new changes in our system. Here is where we need to figure out which database tables get the new columns. We may also create a new table or two.

I am working with another team on a back end piece of the system. We will tie the front end to the back with some new database columns. They back end developers just thought we would add a column to an existing table.

This approach normally makes sense. You add the column to the table that represents the object that is getting a new property. However you need to look deeper to see how the new data will be used. You might want to separate some data by creating a new table. It might make you queries easier and the system faster. We are going to have the design debate later this week. This is a just a specific instance of the greater problem of good database design.