Designing Databases

  • Article

In Microsoft® Visual FoxPro®, you use databases to organize and relate tables and views. Databases provide the architecture for storing your data and have additional benefits as well. When you use a database, you can create table-level extensions such as field- and record-level rules, default field values, and triggers. In addition, you can create stored procedures and persistent table relationships. You can use your database to access connections to remote data sources and to create views of local and remote tables.

In This Section

  • The Database Design Process
    Provides an introduction on how to create a well-designed database and lists the important steps in the design process.
  • Analysis of Data Requirements
    Focuses on the first step in designing a Microsoft® Visual FoxPro® database, which involves finding out the reason for the database and how it will be used.
  • Organization of Requirements into Tables
    Describes how to select the tables in your database, which can be the most difficult step in the database design process.
  • Determination of the Fields You Need
    Explains the importance of determining what you must know about the people, things, or events recorded in the table.
  • Identification of Relationships
    Contains information and examples on how the Microsoft® Visual FoxPro® relational database management system can be used to link information in meaningful ways.
  • Refinement of the Design
    After the tables, fields, and relationships have been established, details the important step of reviewing your database design to locate remaining flaws.
  • Sample Database Diagrams
    Offers database diagrams as a way to spark ideas for creating your own database.
  • Working with Data
    Find out how to create effective applications with indexes, tables, and databases based on your data requirements.
  • Creating Databases
    Use databases in Microsoft® Visual FoxPro® to establish relationships between tables, enforce referential integrity, and manage local and remote data.
  • Working with Tables
    Make sure your tables have the structure that your application requires. Data type and index choices are essential to the success of your application.
  • Working with Records
    Store data in the table by adding new records. Through the interface or by using commands you can change and delete existing records.
  • Importing and Exporting Data
    Information is copied between Microsoft® Visual FoxPro® and other applications by importing to and exporting from Visual FoxPro.