SQL Table Optimization Guide: 15 Properties of a Well-designed Table

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Designing a good table structure is crucial for an efficient and effective database system. Here are some key properties of a well-designed table in SQL:

1. Normalization:

• Tables should be normalized to eliminate data redundancy and improve data integrity.
• Follow normalization rules (e.g., 1st Normal Form, 2nd Normal Form, 3rd Normal Form) to organize data and reduce the chances of anomalies.

2. Primary Key:

• Each table should have a primary key that uniquely identifies each record.
• Use a surrogate key (e.g., an auto-incremented integer) if a natural key is not suitable.

3. Indexes:

• Create indexes on columns frequently used in search conditions (e.g., WHERE clauses).
• Be mindful of the trade-off between read performance and write performance when using indexes.

4. Foreign Keys:

• Establish relationships between tables using foreign keys to enforce referential integrity.
• Cascade options (e.g., ON DELETE CASCADE) can be used to automatically update or delete related records.