4.3  Underlying Database in MySQL 

MySQL is an Open Source database with a command line user interface. Prior to 

implementation of the Permit System data tables in MySQL, a graphical representation of the 

tables, attributes, and relationships was created to visualize the data. Although attributes had to 

be added to the tables during the development process, the overall concept and layout of the 

database remained the same. A graphical representation of the database is shown in Figure 14. 

Figure 14 also illustrates the naming convention that was used for variables and database 

attributes. The first three letters of the attribute reflect the table name. Introducing this 

abbreviation as a part of the attribute name offered the advantage of not having to explicitly 

provide the table name in the SQL statements, since the attribute name is already the unique 

identifier. 

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