Okay, so here's the long story short. I'm taking a database fundamentals class. It's an intro class, and should be pretty low brow stuff, but I am struggling so much, I'm afraid I'm going to bomb the class. I was kinda hoping to get a little boost from people who know what the heck this guy is talking about! I'd like to give you all the information I have and then present my questions. I'd also like to make clear, I am -=not=- looking for anyone to solve this stuff for me. I just need some feedback.
So the problem we've been given is to design a database with 65 employees which reflect updated information about certifications and education, and vendors the company uses. So I've come up with some basic tables. 3, actually, one that contains employee information, one that contains certification information (since conceivably one can have more than one certification), and one that contains vendor information.
Employee Entity:
Code:
Emp ID Last Name First Name Address Date of Birth Date of Hire Degree College Date of Termination
1 Smith Sally 1234 Main Street 7/30/1979 2/3/2004 A.S. CTU 4/30/2009
2 Doe John 321 Seseme St 8/21/1981 5/7/2008 B.S UCCS
Certification Entity:
Code:
EmpID Last Name First Name Certification Type Date Expiration
1 Smith Sally CPR Medical 5/9/2004 5/9/2005
2 Doe John CPR Medical 6/1/2009 6/1/2010
Vendor Entity:
Code:
VendID Name Address VendType
1 Rotors Etc 1234 South Main Street Mechanical
So, my next step here is to confirm that the tables conform to 1NF, 2NF, and 3NF. I guess my first question is with my Certifications table. The idea is that I am supposed to be able to design a database that can be flexible enough to adapt to changing certifications and additions of certifications. How can I make a table like that without creating a possible exponential amount of little tables? And how would I reflect one person holding more than one certification? I think I am good with the 1NF, but what about the 2NF?
I hope I have given enough information here about my problem. I appreciate any help anyone could offer.
FT