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Database Design |
| Ryan Stephens and Ronald Plew | |
| Sams Publishing | |
| List Price: $39.99 (USD) | |
| ISBN: 0-672-31758 |
All too often, aspiring database designers put the proverbial cart before the horse and attempt to dive into the technical details of a specific DBMS before gaining the necessary foundation in database principles. In Database Design, Ryan Stephens and Ronald Plew offer an alternative to this oft repeated scenario -- a platform-independent introduction to the fundamental principles of database analysis and design.
Stephens and Plew begin with a 110-page section on database theory providing an introduction for the novice to the terminology and basic concepts behind database technology as well as background on the data modeling process and design lifecycles. The second of three parts provides an in-depth look at modeling techniques beginning with the requirement determination process and proceeding through model development, normalization and the creation of Entity-Relationship models.
The book's final section explores several areas termed "Life After Design." Two of these -- change control and redesign analysis offer comprehensive topic overviews. The remaining section covers database security mechanisms somewhat belatedly -- no mention is made of the importance of considering security issues during the design process. Despite this deficiency, the security chapter does provide an adequate overview of security topics.
Overall, Database Design is a quality book that fills a gap in the current database literature. This book is highly recommended as a first text for students beginning the exploration of database topics and as a refresher for professionals who have either forgotten principles learned in the past or simply learned database administration and design through hands-on experience without first developing a theoretical foundation.
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