When I make a web application, the first step in that process for me is designing the relational database model with a pencil, eraser and piece of paper. It mak

When I make a web application, the first step in that process for me is designing the relational database model with a pencil, eraser and piece of paper. It makes the code a lot less messy when you have all the data sorted out before you get into it. I also find that it really helps me to understand what I'm building and how I need to build it. And it's a hell of a lot easier to change code than how data is being stored, so it's something I really try to get right and properly normalized the first time. I don't even attempt to do types at this point. It's really just about how the structure is going to look.