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Data Types and Database Design

When you design a database, it is important that you assign the correct datatypes to columns. You can assign data types in any of the following scenarios:

• Deriving a physical model from a logical model, or when you switch from the logical model to the physical model. A physical data type is automatically assigned to each column based on the data type assigned to the corresponding attribute.
• Deriving a physical model from a physical model. The corresponding data type for the target DBMS is automatically assigned.
• Migrating from one version of a DBMS to a newer version, or changing the target DBMS. You are prompted you to verify if you want to convert the data types. When you convert the data types, the corresponding data type for the target DBMS is automatically assigned.
• Creating a physical model by reverse engineering from a DBMS or script file. Information from the DBMS or script file is extracted, and a physical data type is automatically assigned to each column.