Instructor Notes Module 6: Deriving a Physical Data Design Introduction This module describes how data is stored, the relational model, and how to optimize database systems. After completing this module, students will be able to: ! Derive a physical data design for tables and fields from a logical data design. ! Analyze data usage characteristics to optimize a physical data design. ! Determine methods for implementing relationships in a physical data design. ! Identify different optimization techniques. ! Determine the proper criteria for optimizing a physical data design. Materials and Preparation This section provides you with the materials and preparation needed to teach this module. Materials To teach this module, you will need the following materials: ! Microsoft ® PowerPoint ® file P06_1609a.ppt ! Module 6, “Deriving a Physical Data Design” ! Activity 6.1, “Translating the Logical Data Design” ! Activity 6.2, “Optimizing a Physical Data Design” Preparation To prepare for this module, you should: ! Read all materials for this module. ! Complete the activities. Presentation: 75 Minutes Activities: 55 Minutes 2 Instructor Notes Module 6: Deriving a Physical Data Design Activities Activity 6.1: Translating the Logical Data Design In this activity, students will evaluate the logical design for a portion of the Ferguson and Bardell, Inc. case study. From this design, students will determine the appropriate tables, fields, and data types. Students should fill in the blank grids in the activity manual with the tables, fields, and data types they identify. More grids are available than students will probably need, and each grid has more rows than they will probably need. Tell students that they should not feel obliged to fill in all the rows of all the grids. After the activity, lead a class discussion so that students can compare results. After completing this activity, students will be able to: ! Evaluate a logical data design. ! Determine the appropriate data types for columns in a table. ! Produce a physical data design. ! To prepare for the activity ! Complete the activity. Activity 6.2: Optimizing a Physical Data Design In this exercise, students will evaluate a data design and determine areas in which it could potentially be optimized. After the activity, lead a short class discussion so that students can compare results. After completing this activity, students will be able to: ! Identify where data designs can potentially be optimized. ! Determine the appropriate optimization technique. ! To prepare for the activity • Complete the activity. Try to think of alternative answers that students might present, and be ready to discuss the merits of both your initial answers and the alternatives. Module Strategy Use the following strategy to present this module: ! Physical Data Design For most students, this section will be a basic review of various types of physical databases. You might have to spend a few moments on the data types slide to ensure that students understand the various data types; otherwise, you should be able to cover this section fairly rapidly. Note that the data types listed in the workbook are generic. Actual data types will vary depending on the databases that are used. Instructor Notes Module 6: Deriving a Physical Data Design 3 ! Implementing Relationships Again, for many students, this will be a review of material that they already know. Plan to spend some extra time on the many-to-many design problem and how it is usually solved. An additional example (for instance, students and classes in an enrollment system) can be helpful. ! Data Optimization Techniques Unlike the previous two sections, this section might be new territory for the majority of students. The data access needs of various application types is covered, as well as ways of optimizing designs to accommodate these needs. Be sure that students understand the importance of thoroughly considering how the application will be used, and the necessity of good design choices throughout the design process to reach performance goals. THIS PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK . on the databases that are used. Instructor Notes Module 6: Deriving a Physical Data Design 3 ! Implementing Relationships Again, for many students,. design. ! Analyze data usage characteristics to optimize a physical data design. ! Determine methods for implementing relationships in a physical data