Build a relational data model

The first step in creating a relational database is to construct a data model: a precise, complete definition of the data you want to store. This chapter provides an overview of one way to model the data. For information about defining column-specific properties of a data model, see Select data types. To learn how to implement the data model that this chapter describes, see Implement a relational data model.

To understand the material in this chapter, a basic understanding of SQL and relational database theory are necessary.