What is the purpose of a physical database design?

The purpose of a physical database design is to create a detailed model of the data that outlines how data will be stored, organized, and accessed in a database management system. This level of design is essential because it translates the high-level logical structure of data into a physical form that can be implemented on a specific database platform.

This design includes considerations such as data types, indexing strategies, storage allocation, and relationships between different data elements. By focusing on these specifics, it ensures that the database can handle the expected workloads efficiently, optimize performance, and maintain data integrity.

Other choices touch on aspects that may relate to databases but do not capture the primary goal of physical database design. For instance, visual representations and simplifying data entry are important but not central to the creation of a physical model. Compliance with regulations might be a consequence of design considerations, but the primary focus of physical design remains on the structure and organization of the data itself.