Database Design Best Practices

A well-designed database ensures performance, scalability, and data integrity. Poor design leads to slow queries, redundancy, and maintenance nightmares.

1. Normalize (But Not Too Much)

Apply normalization rules to avoid redundancy, but denormalize selectively for read-heavy systems.

2. Index Smartly

Indexes speed up reads but slow down writes. Add them only on frequently queried fields.

3. Use Proper Data Types

Choosing the right type (INT vs BIGINT, VARCHAR vs TEXT) saves space and improves performance.

4. Plan Relationships

Use foreign keys for relational integrity. In NoSQL, consider embedding vs referencing carefully.

5. Think About Scalability

Sharding, replication, and partitioning should be part of your long-term strategy.

Good database design pays off with lower costs, faster applications, and happier users.