Beginning Relational Data Modeling, Second Edition

Features

• Cover Type: Paperback with 632 pages
• Published by: Apress
• Edition: 2nd Edition March 24, 2005
• Written in: English
• ISBN 10 Number: 1590594630
• ISBN 13 Number: 978-1590594636
• Book Dimensions: 9.2 x 7 x 1.4 inches
• Weighs: 2.1 pounds

Product Description


Data storage design, and awareness of how data requirements to be utilized within an organization, is of prime importance in ensuring that company data systems work efficiently. If you need to know how to capture the information requirements of a business system in a relational database model, but dont know where to start, then this is the book for you.

Beginning Relational Data Modeling, Second Edition will lead you step-by-step through the process of developing an effective logical data model for your relational database. No previous data modeling experience is even required. The authors infuse concise, straightforward wisdom to explain a usually complex, jargon-filled discipline. And examples are based on her extensive experience modeling for real business systems.

About The Author
Sharon Allen has worked in the field of data analysis for twenty-four years; ten as a business consumer of data and fourteen as a data/database modeler/architect. She has had the opportunity to experience many diverse industries - Medical, Aerospace, Entertainment (Hollywood), Manufacturing (toys, appliances, wet chemicals, metal part & assemblies), Transportation, Food Service, and is currently working for American Honda Motors as a Database Architect. She plans to finish a Masters Degree in Computer Science and possibly teach at a local college.

Evan Terry has been in the IT industry for more than 15 years as a programmer/analyst, systems engineer, custom software consultant, senior developer, data analyst, and data architect, serving government and the private sector. He firmly believes that in order to succeed at developing complex systems, the IT professional must truly understand the business processes he supports. Evan tries to bridge the gap between the technical and the nontechnical by understanding the perspectives of both
and helping the two groups communicate effectively.

Reader Reviews
While the book calls itself "Beginning", it actually takes you a long way into understanding and making a relational model. The authors heavily downplay the formal maths aspect. No predicate calculus and no proving of theorems. Of necessity, the Normal Forms are explained, including the contributions of Boyce and Codd to this development. Simple relational tables are used for illustration. This topic lends itself easily to diagrams of interrelated data sets held in tables. Which is probably more visually understandable anyway. Perhaps the most important chapter is on making a conceptual model of your system or problem. In a top down approach, you start here. And it can be rather intangible until you build up expertise. Subsequent chapters show how to parlay the conceptual model into a logical model and then into a physical model. Important steps, to be sure, but secondary. Focus on the essentials.