Monday, September 12, 2022

DATABASE DESIGN: THE STATE OF KNOWLEDGE IN THE INDUSTRY



Can you identify all the fallacies and misconceptions in the following online exchange? What is the elephant in the room?
Q: “I have done data normalization on dummy data and would like to know if I did it correctly. If it is done correctly, I would also like to ask two things below, because it is about 3NF.

1NF: This table should be 1NF. 

2NF: I selected composite key (userID and Doors) as they represent minimal candidate key and got three tables applying FD rule.

 

3NF: Applying the rule of transitive dependency on 1st table in 2NF, I got out 4 tables (showing only first two, because the last two remain unchanged).

Questions: Is this database normalisation correct? If not could you point me where I did mistake? If answer on first question is True: Should the last table in 3NF be transformed into two tables, given it is not in correct Third normal form. Two non-key atributes have FD keycode -> accessGroup.”

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A: “Re "is this right?": Show the steps of your work following your reference/textbook, with justification -- not all terms/notations are standard & we don't know exactly what algorithm/method you are following & we want to check your work but not redo it & we need your choices when a process allows them & otherwise we can't tell you where you went right or wrong & we don't want to rewrite your reference... Where & how are you 1st stuck/unsure in what process you quote? PS We don't normalize to 3NF by going through lower NFs. "1NF" has many meanings --quote yours. What textbook/reference are you following -- name & edition? You don't give FDs but they drive the process. A CK is a (so-called) minimal superkey, "minimal CK" doesn't mean anything. Don't know what "FD rule" or "apply a FD rule" mean.”
Q: “Thank you for your comments, but I won't apply anything or explain anything to you anymore. If you feel I didn't provide enough information or violated any rules, feel free to close the topic. But then I am closing my StackOverflow account as as well, naming you as a reason.”
A: “I have only written helpful, appropriate & neutral comments & I explained & justified why I commented. After informing yourself re how the site works, if you think I have been inappropriate, besides flagging a post or comment for a moderator you can consider asking an on-topic question about your questions and/or my comments at Meta Stack Overflow (but beware "meta effect" attention you will get on your questions). See help & Q&A there & at Meta Stack Exchange re how the sites work. Good luck.”
Q: “I would appreciate it if you don't comment on my posts anymore. I won't follow any of your requests. Thank you.”

 

 

 

 

 

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