Database Design for Mere Mortals: A Hands-On Guide to Relational Database Design (2nd Edition)

“This book takes the somewhat daunting process of database design and breaks it into completely manageable and understandable components. Mike’s approach whilst simple is completely professional, and I can recommend this book to any novice database designer.” –Sandra Barker, Lecturer, University of South Australia, Australia “Databases are a critical infrastructure technology for information systems and today’s business. Mike Hernandez has written a literate explanation of database technology–a topic that is intricate and often obscure. If you design databases yourself, this book will educate you about pitfalls and show you what to do. If you purchase products that use a database, the book explains the technology so that you can understand what the vendor is doing and assess their products better.” –Michael Blaha, consultant and trainer, author of A Manager’s Guide to Database Technology “If you told me that Mike Hernandez could improve on the first edition of Database Design for Mere Mortals I wouldn’t have believed you, but he did! The second edition is packed with more real-world examples, detailed explanations, and even includes database-design tools on the CD-ROM! This is a must-read for anyone who is even remotely interested in relational database design, from the individual who is called upon occasionally to create a useful tool at work, to the seasoned professional who wants to brush up on the fundamentals. Simply put, if you want to do it right, read this book!” –Matt Greer, Process Control Development, The Dow Chemical Company “Mike’s approach to database design is totally common-sense based, yet he’s adhered to all the rules of good relational database design. I use Mike’s books in my starter database-design class, and I recommend his books to anyone who’s interested in learning how to design databases or how to write SQL queries.” –Michelle Poolet, President, MVDS, Inc. “Slapping together sophisticated applications with poorly designed data will hurt you just as much now as when Mike wrote his first edition, perhaps even more. Whether you’re just getting started developing with data or are a seasoned pro; whether you've read Mike’s previous book or this is your first; whether you're happier letting someone else design your data or you love doing it yourself–this is the book for you. Mike’s ability to explain these concepts in a way that’s not only clear, but fun, continues to amaze me.” –From the Foreword by Ken Getz, MCW Technologies, coauthor ASP.NET Developer's JumpStart “The first edition of Mike Hernandez’s book Database Design for Mere Mortals was one of the few books that survived the cut when I moved my office to smaller quarters. The second edition expands and improves on the original in so many ways. It is not only a good, clear read, but contains a remarkable quantity of clear, concise thinking on a very complex subject. It’s a must for anyone interested in the subject of database design.” –Malcolm C. Rubel, Performance Dynamics Associates “Mike’s excellent guide to relational database design deserves a second edition. His book is an essential tool for fledgling Microsoft Access and other desktop database developers, as well as for client/server pros. I recommend it highly to all my readers.” –Roger Jennings, author of Special Edition Using Access 2002 “There are no silver bullets! Database technology has advanced dramatically, the newest crop of database servers perform operations faster than anyone could have imagined six years ago, but none of these technological advances will help fix a bad database design, or capture data that you forgot to include! Database Design for Mere MortalsTM, Second Edition, helps you design your database right in the first place!” –Matt Nunn, Product Manager, SQL Server, Microsoft Corporation “When my brother started his professional career as a developer, I gave him Mike’s book to help him understand database concepts and make real-world application of database technology. When I need a refresher on the finer points of database design, this is the book I pick up. I do not think that there is a better testimony to the value of a book than that it gets used. For this reason I have wholeheartedly recommended to my peers and students that they utilize this book in their day-to-day development tasks.” –Chris Kunicki, Senior Consultant, OfficeZealot.com “Mike has always had an incredible knack for taking the most complex topics, breaking them down, and explaining them so that anyone can ‘get it.’ He has honed and polished his first very, very good edition and made it even better. If you're just starting out building database applications, this book is a must-read cover to cover. Expert designers will find Mike’s approach fresh and enlightening and a source of great material for training others.” –John Viescas, President, Viescas Consulting, Inc., author of Running Microsoft Access 2000 and coauthor of SQL Queries for Mere Mortals “Whether you need to learn about relational database design in general, design a relational database, understand relational database terminology, or learn best practices for implementing a relational database, Database Design for Mere MortalsTM, Second Edition, is an indispensable book that you’ll refer to often. With his many years of real-world experience designing relational databases, Michael shows you how to analyze and improve existing databases, implement keys, define table relationships and business rules, and create data views, resulting in data integrity, uniform access to data, and reduced data-entry errors.” –Paul Cornell, Site Editor, MSDN Office Developer Center Sound database design can save hours of development time and ensure functionality and reliability. Database Design for Mere MortalsTM, Second Edition, is a straightforward, platform-independent tutorial on the basic principles of relational database design. It provides a commonsense design methodology for developing databases that work. Database design expert Michael J. Hernandez has expanded his best-selling first edition, maintaining its hands-on approach and accessibility while updating its coverage and including even more examples and illustrations. This edition features a CD-ROM that includes diagrams of sample databases, as well as design guidelines, documentation forms, and examples of the database design process. This book will give you the knowledge and tools you need to create efficient and effective relational databases. The Barnes & Noble Review Time was, all database design books were packed with mathematics and jargon. You d be up to your neck in normal forms before you even had a chance to wade. When Michael J. Hernandez needed a database design book to teach mere mortals like himself, there were none. So he began a personal quest to learn enough to write one. And he did. Now in its Second Edition, Database Design for Mere Mortals is a miracle for today s generation of database users who don t have the background -- or the time -- to learn database design the hard way. It s also a secret pleasure for working pros who are occasionally still trying to figure out what they were taught. Drawing on 13 years of database teaching experience, Hernandez has organized database design into several key principles that are surprisingly easy to understand and remember. He illuminates those principles using examples that are generic enough to help you with virtually any application. Hernandez s goals are simple. You ll learn how to create a sound database structure as easily as possible. You ll learn how to optimize your structure for efficiency and data integrity. You ll learn how to avoid problems like missing, incorrect, mismatched, or inaccurate data. You ll learn how to relate tables together to make it possible to get whatever answers you need in the future -- even if you haven t thought of the questions yet. If -- as is often the case -- you already have a database, Hernandez explains how to analyze it -- and leverage it. You ll learn how to identify new information requirements, determine new business rules that need to be applied, and apply them. Hernandez starts with an introduction to databases, relational databases, and the idea and objectives of database design. Next, you ll walk through the key elements of the database design process: establishing table structures and relationships, assigning primary keys, setting field specifications, and setting up views. Hernandez s extensive coverage of data integrity includes a full chapter on establishing business rules and using validation tables. Hernandez surveys bad design techniques in a chapter on what not to do -- and finally, helps you identify those rare instances when it makes sense to bend or even break the conventional rules of database design. There s plenty that s new in this edition. Hernandez has gone over his text and illustrations with a fine-tooth comb to improve their already impressive clarity. You ll find updates to reflect new advances in technology, including web database applications. There are expanded and improved discussions of nulls and many-to-many relationships; multivalued fields; primary keys; and SQL data type fields. There s a new Quick Reference database design flowchart. A new glossary. New review questions at the end of every chapter. Finally, it s worth mentioning what this book isn t . It isn t a guide to any specific database platform -- so you can use it whether you re running Access, SQL Server, or Oracle, MySQL or PostgreSQL. And it isn t an SQL guide. (If that s what you need, Michael J. Hernandez has also coauthored the superb SQL Queries for Mere Mortals ). But if database design is what you need to learn, this book s worth its weight in gold. Bill Camarda Bill Camarda is a consultant, writer, and web/multimedia content developer. His 15 books include (http://search.barnesandnoble.com/booksearch/isbninquiry.asp?isbn=0789718529) Special Edition Using Word 2000 and (http://cart2.barnesandnoble.com/booksearch/isbninquiry.asp?isbn=0764505424) Upgrading & Fixing Networks for Dummies, Second Edition . One Cd-rom Disk In Pocket. Pt. I. Relational Database Design -- Ch. 1. Relational Database -- Ch. 2. Design Objectives -- Ch. 3. Terminology -- Pt. Ii. Design Process -- Ch. 4. Conceptual Overview -- Ch. 5. Starting The Process -- Ch. 6. Analyzing The Current Database -- Ch. 7. Establishing Table Structures -- Ch. 8. Keys -- Ch. 9. Field Specifications -- Ch. 10. Table Relationships -- Ch. 11. Business Rules -- Ch. 12. Views -- Ch. 13. Reviewing Data Integrity -- Pt. Iii. Other Database-design Issues -- Ch. 14. Bad Design -- What Not To Do -- Ch. 15. Bending Or Breaking The Rules -- Pt. Iv. Appendixes -- App. A. Answers To Review Questions -- App. B. Diagram Of The Database-design Process -- App. C. Design Guidelines -- App. D. Documentation Forms -- App. E. Database-design Diagram Symbols -- App. F. Sample Designs. Michael J. Hernandez. Cd-rom Contains: Appendices From The Book, Diagram Of The Database Design Process, Design Guidelines, Documentation Forms, Database Design Diagram Symbols, And, Sample Designs. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 599-600) And Index. System Requirements For Accompanying Cd-rom: Adobe Acrobat Reader ; Cd-rom Drive.