Question:

To prepare for this Discussion, choose any organization-a bank, a hospital, a store, or a coffee bar, for example-and describe how to uniquely define the customer. Assume that this is a relational model and that you are notcreating a single numeric or alphanumeric unique identifier for the customer, such as a customer number.

With these thoughts in mind, analyze ways to ensure uniqueness and the existence of data. Consider the attributes you will store, and discuss each of the following:

• What happens if one of the fields is unknown?
• Are all the required fields always recorded for a customer?
• How can you prevent duplicate records?
• Are "William Jones," "Bill Jones," and "W. J. Jones" the same customer? If they are, how could you connect them?
• Do any of the defined attributes have more than one value?
• How can you ensure that all types of customers fit your definition?

Discuss whether there really is a unique definition for a customer and whether your definition works equally well for all businesses.