Fast Database Development — Practical Tips

If the database is an SQL code, does it mean you should just code faster? It is not as simple. But if you understand how to design your database and have mastered SQL perfectly, you can do the job fast with the help of professional tools.

Database ER Modeling

The most common database type is a relational database that stores data in interrelated tables. And the most essential development factor is the database structure.

ER (Entity Relationship) modeling creates a comprehensive visual database model with all database objects and their relations. You can create, edit, and delete them all — just draw tables on a diagram and tie them visually. Then, you convert that model into the database schema.

See how it looks in dbForge Studio for SQL Server — an IDE designed for database developers.

However, other database development tasks require coding.

Database Coding

Database coding usually relates to programming and debugging stored procedures and some other database objects. A must-have feature is a tool that delivers SQL autocomplete with the following features:

• Code suggestions — instead of typing the entire element name, you can start typing, and the tool suggests the ending.

• Reusing of Code Fragments. Save code fragments for recurring use, add custom snippets, and edit templates.

• Code Debugging. Detect errors in the code, fix them on the fly, and automate debugging to save more time.

These features are the solid foundation for the database development daily tasks. But it does not end here.

Database Testing

Before the entire solution is ready to work, you must ensure that every piece of code works correctly.

Automated unit testing is checking and validating source code units, including every individual view, trigger, procedure, or transaction. The module below uses the tSQLt framework to write unit tests in regular T-SQL:

Most of the testing scenarios suggest using test data instead of actual database data. With the help of a specialized data generation tool, it is possible to produce any volume of realistic test data quickly.

Conclusion

Lots of best database development practices, directly related to SQL coding, focus on improving the speed of performance. With the help of proper tools, all database development tasks become much simpler and faster.