Hi Everyone, About three weeks ago I posted an e-mail on this listserve asking people for recommendations of reference works on database design and relational modelling. Some of the response it received was from other individuals who also wanted recommendations. There was also a brief foray into the do-it-self vs. proprietary software debate. The following excerpts are from the responses which did recommend references not specific to any particular software package. As is evident, the books of C.J. Date were mentioned more often than not:
* "C.J. Date's "An Introduction to Database Systems" (the title is a bit misleading -- it really focuses on relational database design). ... C.J. Date is apparently "Mr. Relational Database," and the book is still in print. Some people find it a bit dense ... and there may be more elementary books on the topic that have come out since I was first looking. But you can skip over the theoretical mathematics and academic-speak sections and still get a lot out of it." * "...The works of Codd and Date - (all of them have pithy titles such as Relational Database Management). The only pitfall in reading these works is that they teach you the ideal case - which real life rarely is." * "The classic work on relational databases is C.J. Date's, Introduction to Database Systems (it's pretty expensive, but I bet you can find it at the local library). Be forewarned however, that this isn't for the faint of heart. Several editions have been published over the past 25 years. The most recent one includes object-oriented approaches (although Date isn't necessarily unbiased in his discussion of the pros and cons). You may need to skip around a bit and will probably only find two or three chapters that meet your current needs." * "_Database Design for Mere Mortals_ by Michael J. Hernandez Addison-Wesley Developers Press, 1997 (ISBN 0-201-69471-9) An often-recommended entry-level explanation with quite minimal jargon _Data Modeling Essentials: Analysis, Design and Innovation_ by Graeme Simsion Van Nostrand Reinhold, 1994 (ISBN 1-850-32877-3) A useful book with more nuts-and-bolts discussion, assuming a somewhat higher degree of comfort with more technical language and presentation" Since getting these responses I have purchased the Hernandez book, Database Design for Mere Mortals but I have not been able to delve into it yet to any great extent. All I can say at this point is that it is indeed relatively jargon free and the parts I have read are easily understood by this non-programmer. I hope this can be of assistance to others. David Farrell, Collections Assistant Peel Heritage Complex 9 Wellington Street East Brampton, ON L6W 1Y1 (905) 791-4055 ext. 2108 (905) 451-4931 fax www.region.peel.on.ca/heritage/index.htm ********************************************************************** This email and any files transmitted with it are confidential and intended solely for the use of the individual or entity to whom they are addressed. If you have received this email in error please notify the system manager. This footnote also confirms that this email message has been swept by MIMEsweeper for the presence of computer viruses. www.Region.Peel.On.Ca **********************************************************************
