Design - Data Storage Design

Question 1

How do we begin Data Storage Design?

Answer 1

Start with the logical data model from the analysis stage (ERD Diagram)

Decide on the data storage format, then the logical data model is modified to reflect this implementation decision.

Question 2

What are the main types of data format?

Answer 2

Structured:
- SQL

Semi-Structured:
- XML
- JSON

Un-structured Data:
- Images
- Audio Files
- Documents
- Emails etc.

Question 3

What are the types of data to manage?

Answer 3

Master Data
- Data about the business entities that provide context for the - business transactions
- Customers, Suppliers, products…
- Mr, Mike Jones, Address, DOB…

Transactional Data
- Data that refers to the transactions that take place and references master data e.g. when a product is sold or purchased
- Customer X purchases product Y for 10 pounds on 2021.11.08

Reference Data
- Data that is used to classify or categorise other data
- Country codes, units of measurement
- UK,DE,FR.

Question 4

What are the two main types of data storage formats?

Answer 4

Files
Databases

Question 5

What are the pros and cons of CSV files?

Answer 5

Pros: Simple and easy to use
Cons: Need to write your own data structure and access protocols and code

Question 6

What are the pros and cons of XML Files?

Answer 6

Pros: Extensible structure. Allows for strong data typing.
Cons: Verbose, Fussy formatting.

Question 7

What are the pros and cons of JSON Files?

Answer 7

Pros: Easier to handle structured data. Less verbose than XML, cleaner formatting
Cons: Newer. Not as much handles JSON (compared to XML)