For Nickel-Cadmium batteries, your pre-conceived notions about how to use the battery would have been great. Todays computers use Lithium-Polymer batteries and are harmed by frequent and deep discharges, shortening overall battery life, NOT extending it.
That computer is a battery-CAPABLE device. It is not optimized as a battery-operated device. (It is NOT an iPhone.)
Your computer performs best when connected to AC power. It can use the full output of the Power Adapter AND when doing especially challenging work will also freely "borrow" power from the battery. In some cases, even with the power adapter connected, the charged state may even decline during stressful work.
When used only on battery, your computer has no extra cushion of power, and may perform more slowly. However, for ordinary non-stressful tasks this may not be objectionable (possibly not even noticeable.)
In general, you should ALWAYS connect AC power when it is possible to do so, and only run on batteries (which could be somewhat slower) when no AC sources are at hand. Your Mac will NEVER over-charge.