| Goal | This query detects data attributes that function as implicit classifiers but lack a corresponding reference entity. It targets textual columns that are not currently constrained (no PK, UK, or FK) but exhibit characteristics of coded data: they either have a very short length (≤ 3 characters) or possess identifiers typical of classifiers (e.g., 'status', 'type'). To reduce false positives, it excludes obvious free-text fields (names, comments) and verifies that no table with a similar name currently exists. This suggests the need to extract these attributes into a new dedicated reference table to enforce domain integrity. |
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| Notes | The query considers both column names in English and Estonian. |
| Type | Problem detection (Each row in the result could represent a flaw in the design) |
| Reliability | Medium (Medium number of false-positive results) |
| License | MIT (opens in new tab) |
| Fixing Suggestion | Perhaps there should be a classifier table that is used to register permitted values in this column + a foreign key constraint. |
| Data Source | INFORMATION_SCHEMA+system catalog |
| SQL Query |
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Collections
This query belongs to the following collections:
Find problems about base tables
A selection of queries that return information about the data types, field sizes, default values as well as general structure of base tables. Contains all the types of queries - problem detection, software measure, and general overview
Find problems automatically
Queries, that results point to problems in the database. Each query in the collection produces an initial assessment. However, a human reviewer has the final say as to whether there is a problem or not .
| Name | Description |
|---|---|
| Find problems about base tables | A selection of queries that return information about the data types, field sizes, default values as well as general structure of base tables. Contains all the types of queries - problem detection, software measure, and general overview |
| Find problems automatically | Queries, that results point to problems in the database. Each query in the collection produces an initial assessment. However, a human reviewer has the final say as to whether there is a problem or not . |
Categories
This query is classified under the following categories:
Classifier tables
Queries of this category provide information about registration of classifiers.
Field size
Queries of this category provide information about the maximum size of values that can be recorded in column fields
Result quality depends on names
Queries of this category use names (for instance, column names) to try to guess the meaning of a database object. Thus, the goodness of names determines the number of false positive and false negative results.
Validity and completeness
Queries of this category provide information about whether database design represents the world (domain) correctly (validity) and whether database design captures all the information about the world (domain) that is correct and relevant (completeness).
| Name | Description |
|---|---|
| Classifier tables | Queries of this category provide information about registration of classifiers. |
| Field size | Queries of this category provide information about the maximum size of values that can be recorded in column fields |
| Result quality depends on names | Queries of this category use names (for instance, column names) to try to guess the meaning of a database object. Thus, the goodness of names determines the number of false positive and false negative results. |
| Validity and completeness | Queries of this category provide information about whether database design represents the world (domain) correctly (validity) and whether database design captures all the information about the world (domain) that is correct and relevant (completeness). |