A certain amount of design or analysis should precede the creation of any type of document (word processing, spreadsheet, or database). Because database documents are harder to modify after they have been created, it is crucial to start with a thorough design and understanding of how the data will be used. If you don't know how the data will be used, then you aren't finished with the design phase! You may discover later new uses for your database, but before you start defining fields you must have a clear understanding of how the data will be used.
Copyright 1996 by the Curators of the University of Missouri