How Does Database Design Relate to the SDLC?

What is SDLC?
According to Russell Kay, SDLC can be defined as follows: “System Development Life Cycle (SDLC) is the overall
process of developing information systems through a multi-step process from investigation of initial requirements
through analysis, design, implementation and maintenance. There are many different models and methodologies, but
each generally consists of a series of defined steps or stages.”
http://www.computerworld.com/developmenttopics/development/story/0,10801,71151,00.html

What are the steps involved in SDLC?

As noted above, there are numerous variations on the SDLC model, with each having iterative
steps such as planning, analysis, design, implementation, and maintenance. The following
diagrams from Database Systems: Design, Implementation, & Management, 5th Edition (Rob
& Coronel) illustrate one example of such a model.
 How does Database Design Relate to the SDLC?

As a specific type of information system, Database Design can be modeled using a similar SDLC
type approach, sometimes referred to as DBLC or the Database Development Life Cycle. As in
the SDLC approach, DBLC consists of several iterative steps (which vary slightly depending on
the model used). However, the overall approach is the same: A top down approach to designing
a database. Below is one model of the DBLC.
In Order to more fully understand the DBLC, let’s take a closer
look at the separate stages in the process!

What takes place during the Database Initial Study?

This stage is essentially the planning stage of the SDLC.

• Purposes
– Analyze company situation
• Operating environment
• Organizational structure
– Define problems and constraints
 – Define objectives
– Define scope and boundaries

What takes place during Database Design?

Alot! This stage encompasses much of both the Analysis and Design stages of the SDLC.

• Most Critical DBLC phase

• Makes sure final product meets requirements
• Focus on data requirements
• Subphases
– Create conceptual design
– DBMS software selection
– Create logical design
– Create physical design

Since this is such a critical phase, let’s break it down into the subphases defined above:

CONCEPTUAL DESIGN

• Data modeling creates abstract data structure to represent real-world

items
• High level of abstraction
• Four steps
– Data analysis and requirements
– Entity relationship modeling and normalization
– Data model verification
– Distributed database design

DBMS SOFTWARE SELECTION

• DBMS software selection is critical

• Advantages and disadvantages need study
• Factors affecting purchasing decision
– Cost
– DBMS features and tools
– Underlying model
– Portability
– DBMS hardware requirements
 CREATE LOGICAL DESIGN

• Translates conceptual design into internal model

• Maps objects in model to specific DBMS constructs
• Design components
– Tables
– Indexes
– Views
– Transactions
– Access authorities
– Others

CREATE PHYSICAL DESIGN

• Creation of special storage-related constructs

to house end-user tables
• Data loaded into tables
• Other issues
– Performance
– Security
– Backup and recovery
– Integrity
– Company standards
– Concurrency controls

As you can see, there is much work to do here!

What takes place during Implementation & Loading?

The efforts so far are implemented!

• Creation of special storage-related constructs

to house end-user tables
• Data loaded into tables
• Other issues
– Performance
– Security
– Backup and recovery
– Integrity
 – Company standards
– Concurrency controls

What takes place during Testing & Evaluation?

Make sure that the Database is working as planned!

• Database is tested and fine-tuned for performance, integrity, concurrent

access, and security constraints
• Done in parallel with application programming
• Actions taken if tests fail
– Fine-tuning based on reference manuals
– Modification of physical design
– Modification of logical design
– Upgrade or change DBMS software or hardware

What takes place during Operation?

The Database is up and running! Of course problems arise, and changes are always necessary!

• Database considered operational

• Starts process of system evaluation
• Unforeseen problems may surface
• Demand for change is constant

What takes place during Maintenance & Evaluation?

Changes are made to the system as problems are solved and new requirements are identified.
In short, the process begins anew!

• Preventative maintenance
• Corrective maintenance
• Adaptive maintenance
• Assignment of access permissions
• Generation of database access statistics to monitor performance
• Periodic security audits based on system-generated statistics
• Periodic system usage-summaries
 In Summary:

There are a lot of steps including many details not shown here!

The main thing to remember is that the DBLC is a top-down

approach to systematically implement and maintain a database.

There is tons of information on the Web detailing Database Design

& the SDLC!

QUIZ

Now that we have looked at the DBLC in great detail, it’s time to
test your knowledge!

Answer the following questions on a sheet of paper, and then check

above to see how you did!

Essay:

Define the SDLC.

Define the DBLC.

List the major steps involved in the SDLC.

List the major steps involved in the DBLC.

Identify 4 steps involved in the Design phase.

Remember, the answer is above….don’t cheat!

Multiple Choice:
Which of the following is not a step in SDLC?

A. Planning
B. Analysis
C. Design
D. Maintenance
E. All are part of SDLC

Which of the following tasks are included in Conceptual Database

Design?

A. Data Analysis
B. ERD Modeling
C. Normalization
D. Data Model Verification
E. All of the above

Which of the following are considerations when choosing a DBMS?

A. Cost
B. Features
C. Portability
D. Hardware Requirements
E. All are Considerations

O.K., those should have been easy!!

The answer to each of the multiple choice is E.

Congratulations!
Want to know even more about Databases?
Click on the link below for tons of information.

http://calc.utep.edu/pkirs/mit5314/OR
DBLC stands for Database Life Cycle. The database life cycle is an examination of the history
of a database. Like many things involving technology, the database has a life cycle associated to
it. Databases need to change along with technology and business needs in order for businesses to
evolve and stay competitive.

There are six phases in the database life cycle and they are (in order): initial study, design,
implementation and loading, testing and evaluation, operation, and maintenance and
evolution. Each phase is completed and the life cycle moves into the next phase. The initial
study and maintenance and evolution phases are specially linked. When a database is in the
maintenance and evolution phase, it may be determined that the company wants to look into a
database change. The company would then move out of the maintenance and evolution phase
and go back to the starting point of the initial study. Let’s look at the details of each phase:

· Initial Study: The goal of this phase is essentially to understand how the company works,
what problems and limitations users have, what the company wishes to accomplish, and to define
the scope and boundaries of the project. The scope and boundaries are essential to make sure the
database is created exactly as specified.

· Design: Designers create an abstract data structure that attempts to model real-world objects
by creating a conceptual design. Designers must consider end-user views, define entities,
attributes, relationships, identify processes and access requirements. The DBMS software is
selected. The conceptual design is then translated into the logical design, which is DBMS
dependent. Physical design of the database is the last step. It is the process of selecting hardware
to be used in the database itself.

· Implementation and Loading: In this phase, the DBMS software is installed, the
database(s) are produced and data is put into the database tables. This phase of the DBLC also
requires that the database performance is evaluated, security standards set up, backup and
recovery procedures put in place, data integrity enforcement. Finally, the database administrator
must ensure that the company standards are being followed by implementing and enforcing them
in database.

· Testing and Evaluation: This phase requires that the database is tested again for
performance. It is tested during Implementation and Loading, however, it is tested again and
fine-tuned. Testing also requires that the administrator also test integrity, security and multi-user
load.

· Operation: Essentially at this point, the database is fully functional. Users are allowed to
fully use the system and report any issues. Any problems are resolved according to severity.

· Maintenance and Evolution: This is perhaps the longest phase of the DBLC. Over the life
of the database, the database administrator will have to perform backups, recoveries, enhance
performance, add entities and attributes, add/change user permissions, and maintain security and
integrity.
**Design Cycle
Requirements Analysis

1. Most important stage

2. Labor-intensive
3. Involves assessing the information needs of an organization so the database can be
designed to meet those needs.

Logical Design

1. A Conceptual model is created based on the needs assessment performed in the

requirements stage.
2. E/R Diagram
3. Normalization

Physical Design

1. One purpose: to maximize database efficiency

2. Find ways to speed up the performance of the RDBMS
3. Speeding up either: Retrieving data from or writing data to a database

Implementation

1. The tables developed in the ER diagram are converted into SQL statements
2. System Administrator has installed and configured an RDBMS

Monitoring, modification, and maintenance

1. After implementation the database needs to be carefully watched to ensure integrity and
security.
2. Watch all database modifications (adding, deleting, importing) to ensure everything is
working correctly.
3. Be able to fix or change database to fix problems or change for increase demand.