Database design for mere mortals : a hands-on guide to relational database design / [printed text] / Michael J. Hernandez, Author . - Reading, Mass. : Addison-Wesley Developers Press, 1997 . - xl, 440 p. : ill. ; 23 cm.
ISBN : 978-0-201-69471-0

Class number:	005.756
Abstract:	Sound database design can save hours of development time and ensure functionality and reliability. Database Design for Mere Mortals, Second Edition is a straightforward platform independent tutorial on the basic principles of relational database design. It provides a common sense design methodology for developing databases that work.
Contents note:	I. Relational Database Design 1. What Is a Relational Database:Types of Databases, Early Database Models, The Relational Database Model, Relational Database Management Systems, Beyond the Relational Model, What the Future Holds, Summary. 2. Design Objectives:Why Should You Be Concerned with Database Design?, The Importance of Theory, The Advantage of Learning A Good Design Methodology, Objectives of Good Design, Benefits of Good Design, Database Design Methods, Summary. 3. Terminology:Why This Terminology Is Important, Value-related Terms, Structure-related Terms, Relationship-related Terms, Integrity-related Terms, Summary. II. The Design Process 4. Conceptual Overview, The Importance of Completing the Design Process, Define a Mission Statement and Mission Objectives, Analyze the Current Database, Create the Data Structures, Determine and Establish Table Relationships, Determine and Define Business Rules, Determine and Define Views, Review Data Integrity, Summary. 5. Starting the Process:Conducting Interviews, The Case Study: Mike's Bikes, Defining the Mission Statement, Defining the Mission Objectives, Summary. 6. Analyzing the Current Database:Getting to Know the Current Database, Conducting the Analysis, Looking at How Data Is Collected, Looking at How Information Is Presented, Conducting Interviews, Interviewing Users, Interviewing Management, Compiling a Complete List of Fields, Case Study, Summary. 7. Establishing Table Structures:Defining the Preliminary, Table List, Defining the Final Table List, Associating Fields with Each Table, Refining the Fields, Refining the Table Structures, Case Study, Summary. 8. Keys:Why Keys Are Important, Establishing Keys for Each Table, Reviewing the Initial Table Structures, Case Study, Summary. 9. Field Specifications:Why Field Specifications Are Important, Field-Level Integrity, Anatomy of a Field Specification, Using Unique, Generic, and Replica Field Specifications, Defining Field Specifications for Each Field in the Database, Case Study, Summary. 10. Table Relationships:Types of Relationships, Identifying Existing Relationships, Establishing Each Relationship, Refining All Foreign Keys, Establishing Relationship Characteristics, Relationship-Level Integrity, Case Study, Summary. 11: Business Rules:What Are Business Rules?, Categories of Business Rules, Defining and Establishing Business Rules, Validation Tables, Reviewing the Business Rule Specification Sheets, Case Study, Summary. 12. Views:What Are Views?, Anatomy of a View, Determining and Defining Views, Case Study, Summary. 13. Reviewing Data Integrity:Why You Should Review Data Integrity, Reviewing and Refining Data Integrity, Assembling the Database Documentation, Done at Last!, Case Study-Wrap up, Summary. III. Other Database Design Issues 14. Bad Design-What Not To Do:Flat-File Design, Spreadsheet Design, Database Design Based on Database Software, A Final Thought, Summary. 15. Bending or Breaking the Rules:When May You Bend or Break the Rules?, Documenting Your Actions, Summary.