In some cases, when we begin a task of data modelling, we can build walls around our project and treat it as an independent kingdom. The design process is easier if the project has no need of any inputs from outside nor any need to provide information to anywhere else. This gives us much more [...]
How will my software be used in two years’ time? What extra fields should I add now so that they can be used in “a while”? Should I make these fields optional until some extra data is available next year? Is data validation necessary, or will it become a maintenance nightmare? […]
Whenever we start a new job or begin work on a new project, one of the hardest things to learn is what questions to ask. We have knowledge, we have expertise, but we don’t always know how to get the information we need so that we can apply our expertise. […]
Data Modelling User Interface Decisions We model data because we want to be able to present it to people in a way that is useful. The way in which we present the data will make it more useful or less useful. If the modelling is bad, good presentation may be difficult or impossible. But even [...]
There are many things in life that follow paths of steady development towards certain goals. Learning to drive a car requires initial learning of the mechanical skills and then those skills are practised until the new driver passes a test. Going from ignorance to an acceptable level of skill follows a fairly standard process, and [...]