Database Design for Mere Mortals: A Hands-On Guide to Relational Database Design View Larger Image | Michael J. Hernandez
Addison-Wesley, Paperback, 2nd Bk&CD edition, Published March 2003, 611 pages, ISBN 0201752840 | List Price: $59.99
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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 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.
Table of Contents
Foreword.
Preface.
Introduction.
I. RELATIONAL DATABASE DESIGN.
1. What Is a Relational Database.
Types of Databases.
Early Database Models.
The Hierarchical Database Model.
The Network Database Model.
The Relational Database Model.
Retrieving Data.
Advantages of a Relational Database.
Relational Database Management Systems.
Beyond the Relational Model.
What the Future Holds.
A Final Note.
Summary.
Review Questions.
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.
Traditional Design Methods.
The Design Method Presented in This Book.
Summary.
Review Questions.
3. Terminology.
Why This Terminology Is Important.
Value-related Terms.
Data.
Information.
Null.
Structure-related Terms.
Table.
Field.
Record.
View.
Keys.
Index.
Relationship-related Terms.
Relationships.
Types of Relationships.
Types of Participation.
Degree of Participation.
Integrity-related Terms.
Field Specification.
Data Integrity.
Summary.
Review Questions.
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.
Review Questions.
5. Starting the Process.
Conducting Interviews.
Participant Guidelines.
Interviewer Guidelines.
The Case Study: Mike's Bikes.
Defining the Mission Statement.
The Well-written Mission Statement.
Composing a Mission Statement.
Case Study.
Defining the Mission Objectives.
Well-written Mission Objectives.
Composing Mission Objectives.
Case Study.
Summary.
Review Questions.
6. Analyzing the Current Database.
Getting to Know the Current Database.
Paper-based Databases.
Legacy Databases.
Conducting the Analysis.
Looking at How Data Is Collected.
Looking at How Information Is Presented.
Conducting Interviews.
Basic Interview Techniques.
Before You Begin the Interview Process.
Interviewing Users.
Reviewing Data Type and Usage.
Reviewing the Samples.
Reviewing Information Requirements.
Interviewing Management.
Reviewing Current Information Requirements.
Reviewing Additional Information Requirements.
Reviewing Future Information Requirements.
Reviewing Overall Information Requirements.
Compiling a Complete List of Fields.
The Preliminary Field List.
The Calculated Field List.
Reviewing Both Lists with Users and Management.
Case Study.
Summary.
Review Questions.
7. Establishing Table Structures.
Defining the Preliminary Table List.
Identifying Implied Subjects.
Using the List of Subjects.
Using the Mission Objectives.
Defining the Final Table List.
Refining the Table Names.
Indicating the Table Types.
Composing the Table Descriptions.
Associating Fields with Each Table.
Refining the Fields.
Improving the Field Names.
Using the Ideal Field to Resolve Anomalies.
Resolving Mulit-part Fields.
Resolving Multi-valued Fields.
Refining the Table Structures.
A Word about Redundant Data and Duplicate
Fields.
Using the Ideal Table to Refine Table Structures.
Establishing Subset Tables.
Case Study.
Summary.
Review Questions.
8. Keys.
Why Keys Are Important.
Establishing Keys for Each Table.
Candidate Keys.
Primary Keys.
Alternate Keys.
Non-keys.
Table-Level Integrity.
Reviewing the Initial Table Structures.
Case Study.
Summary.
Review Questions.
9. Field Specifications.
Why Field Specifications Are Important.
Field-Level Integrity.
Anatomy of a Field Specification.
General Elements.
Physical Elements.
Logical Elements.
Using Unique, Generic, and Replica Field Specifications.
Defining Field Specifications for Each Field in the Database.
Case Study.
Summary.
Review Questions.
10. Table Relationships.
Types of Relationships.
One-to-One Relationships.
One-to-Many Relationships.
Many-to-Many Relationships.
Self-referencing Relationships.
Identifying Existing Relationships.
Establishing Each Relationship.
One-to-One and One-to-Many Relationships.
Many-to-Many Relationships.
Self-referencing Relationships.
Reviewing the Structure of Each Table.
Refining All Foreign Keys.
Elements of a Foreign Key.
Establishing Relationship Characteristics.
Defining a Deletion Rule for Each Relationship.
Identifying the Type of Participation for Each Table.
Identifying the Degree of Participation for Each Table.
Verifying Table Relationships with Users and Management.
A Final Note.
Relationship-Level Integrity.
Case Study.
Summary.
Review Questions. Chapter 11: Business Rules.
What Are Business Rules?
Types of Business Rules.
Categories of Business Rules.
Field-specific Business Rules.
Relationship-specific Business Rules.
Defining and Establishing Business Rules.
Working with Users and Management.
Defining and Establishing Field-Specific Business Rules.
Defining and Establishing Relationship-Specific Business Rules.
Validation Tables.
What Are Validation Tables?
Using Validation Tables to Support Business Rules.
Reviewing the Business Rule Specification Sheets.
Case Study.
Summary.
Review Questions.
12. Views.
What Are Views?
Anatomy of a View.
Data View.
Aggregate View.
Validation View.
Determining and Defining Views.
Working with Users and Management.
Defining Views.
Reviewing the Documentation for Each View.
Case Study.
Summary.
Review Questions.
13. Reviewing Data Integrity.
Why You Should Review Data Integrity.
Reviewing and Refining Data Integrity.
At the Table Level.
At the Field Level.
At the Relationship Level.
At the Level of Business Rules.
At the Level of Views.
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.
Dealing with the Spreadsheet View Mind-set.
Database Design Based on Database Software.
A Final Thought.
Summary.
15. Bending or Breaking the Rules.
When May You Bend or Break the Rules?
Designing an Analytical Database.
Improving Processing Performance.
Documenting Your Actions.
Summary.
In Closing.
IV. APPENDIXES.
Appendix A: Answers to Review Questions.
Appendix B: Diagram of the Database Design Process.
Appendix C: Design Guidelines.
Appendix D: Documentation Forms.
Appendix E: Database Design Diagram Symbols.
Appendix F: Sample Designs.
Appendix G: Recommended Reading.
Glossary.
References.
Index.
Customer Reviews
Customer Reviews: 1 Average Customer Rating: May 21, 2003 Mario Diana from New York
A complete and excellent tutorial
Someone new to database design will find the book to be a thorough introduction to the topic. Working through the chapters, the reader comes away with a solid grounding in database design.
The writing reveals the author as a skilled communicator and teacher. The book's focus is on the concepts needed for practical application, and the examples and case study illustrate the topics well.
The second edition includes what I wished most for the first edition: namely, electronic copies on CD of the various planning forms and checklists used in the book.
If you need to learn database design and want to learn it right, this is the book to get.
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