I do not agree that creating a database which is normalised to3NF is a waste of time.
It isn't always, but it is sometimes. When time is a (significant) factor, getting something up and running (which has acceptable performance) may be more impotant than creating a technically perfect solution. In fact creating something that is technically perfect is often just a pipe dream for programmers.
On the contrary, a totally un-normalised database is nothing but a
problem waiting to bite you in the a**e.
So you can:
a) Create something that gets you to market as fast as possible that is
"good enough".
b) Optimise/adjust the structure later.
IME though, b) rarely happens.
Computer systems have a habit of
growing over time
Really?
...and if you don't follow the rules of normalisation your database will end up as the biggest bottleneck.
Granted it's more likely, but not a given. You just need developers who have discipline, oh and a good memory helps.
Anyone who doesn't know how to reach 3NF shouldn't be designing databases.
Rubbish. It helps, in particular for how you can optimise you structure without duplicating data (too much), but shouldn't be a requirement.
--
Richard Heyes
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