mikebernat.com Web-Development, Design, Usability

Relational Database Design is one of the most powerful ways to ensure data integrity and a great way to kick-off any project. Very often the first thing developers do when starting a new project, or stub-project, is to design the database. This way the structure of the application is already in place and we just have to fill in the pieces with some server-side code. I've found when adding relational constraints to your database design you add in a very powerful error reporting tool that will let you know during the development process that you have allowed something to happen that shouldn't have. In this article, I go through, step by step, showing how to set up a simple relational database and discuss the benefits that are enjoyed.

Most people who use MySQL know that MyISAM and InnoDB are the two most-common database engines available with the popular opensource datbase provider. I would be that most of those people don't even take the time to select a storage-engine and just accept the database default. Those of you who are left probably heard from a friend who saw something online that said one of the two is better than the other. Those of you who are left will still probably learn a thing or two here :)

Creating a way to show how many users are currently visiting your website has become a fad amongst webmasters. It's a cool way to show off your skills has a coder and to show your visitors how many other people are looking at the same thing they are. You don't want to miss the bandwagon again do you? This script is also an excuse to brush up on some mildly advanced MySQL queries.

The most useful and almost necessary feature of any interactive website is a registration form. A way to give users access to features while keeping out the riff-raff. While a registration script can be the perfect time for an amateur to grab the bull by the horns it can also leave lots of pitfalls for a more experienced programmer.

One of the biggest mistakes of today's fledgling MySQL programmers is their field type definitions, also known as data type or column type. Many are too quick to set up their tables, flying through the different options without giving it much thought. The time you spend setting up your tables will save you from many headaches later on down the road.