TABLE OF CONTENTS Regardless of the choice of data model, computing platform, or database management software, the importance of standardization cannot be overemphasized. Adopting industry-accepted standards wherever possible allows easier upgrading, upscaling, and migration when and if it becomes necessary.
Choosing or creating a database system (consisting of platform, data model, and DBMS) that conforms to industry-recognized standards makes the process of upgrading or upscaling less painful. (It is still painful, but less so with standards in place.)
Upgrading issues. Virtually every software application, computing platform, and operating system will evolve through periodic upgrades and revisions. These upgrades include new functionality and features as well as (hopefully) corrections to problems with the current or earlier versions. Creating a DBMS that includes extensive customizations and modifications can make this process difficult or, in the worst case, impossible.
Modifications to the data model should be limited to essential extensions to the existing model. The creation of new tables should be limited as much as possible, and no modifications to the existing schema in terms of key relational fields should be made. All modifications should be thoroughly documented so they can be moved or migrated to any future upgrades to the data model. This is the only way the contents of the database can be migrated accurately and completely when these changes occur.
The future development and support of any operating system or platform database system that is dependent on a particular hardware platform or operating system (or...
