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Database Complexity Index (DCI)

What it is?

The Database Complexity Index (DCI) is a Kalmar Software Development proprietary index that ranks a Microsoft Access Database (MAD) in terms of its complexity. It is an objectively determined, quantative value of the complexity of a (MAD). The DCI can range from 1 to 5. A low value means the database is not complex. A high value means the database is complex

The DCI does not measure how well a MAD is designed and created. You could have a simple or complex MAD that is poorly or well formed.

What are some of factors used to determine the DCI?

What is the number of tables?
What is the number of simple forms, that is, those not containing any sub-forms?
What is the number of complex forms, that is, those contaning sub-forms?
What is the number of simple reports, that is, those not contaning sub-reports?
What is the number of complex reports, that is, those contaning sub-reports?
Does the MAD use modules? How many?
Does the MAD create reports directly in Microsoft Word or Microsoft Excel?

The MAD Index

The DCI is one of two components of the MAD Index. The other is the Well Formed Index (WFI)). The WFI is a measure of well the database has been designed and constructed. Together they form the MAD Index. This tells you how easy is it to work with the database.

MAD Index = (6-WFI) * DCI

An application that has a low MAD Index means it is well formed and not very complex.

An application that has a high MAD Index value is poorly formed and complex.