Re: Learning Database Design

"Michael" <dante_at_orst.edu> wrote in message news:b52z8.73774$CH.11832_at_rwcrnsc52.ops.asp.att.net...
> I'm looking for some good resources for learning relational database
design
> from the ground up. I see multiple books at the bookstore, but can't tell
> just from looking which ones are the really good ones and which ones are a
> waste of paper. I've looked on the web and found some decent introductory
> sites, but nothing so far with a real sense of the Whole as far as design
> goes.
>
> Any resources that you've found would be great. My background is such
that
> I know how to make a basic relational database and know how to search
> through them, but I'm looking for information on what makes a database
great
> in terms of design.
>
> Thanks much,
> Michael
>
>

I liked Database Systems by Connolly and Begg, ISBN: 0201708574

Here's the blurb from Amazon;

Database Systems has a practical, hands-on approach that makes it uniquely suited to providing a strong foundation in good database design practice. A clear introduction to design, implementation and management issues, as well as an extensive treatment of database languages and standards, make this book an indispensable complete reference for database students and professionals alike. The new edition of this bestseller brings it up to date with the latest developments in database technology and builds on the clear, accessible approach that contributed to the success of previous editions. Features and Benefits

Database design methodology is explicitly divided into three phasesconceptual,  logical, and physical. Each phase is described in a separate chapter with an example of the methodology working in practice. Extensive treatment of SQL in three tutorial style chapters. Comprehensive treatment of distributed, object-oriented, and object-relational DBMSs.
Comprehensive introduction to data warehousing, OLAP, and data mining. Extensive treatment of the Web as an emerging platform for database applications with many code samples for accessing databases from the Web including JDBC, SQLJ, ASP, JSP, and Oracle's PSP. New! For the third edition-
 of UML notation for ER diagrams.
New chapter on the relational algebra and relational calculus. New chapter on fact-finding techniques as a step before where the methodology begins.
New chapter on Access and Oracle DBMSs, illustrating the difference between the two systems. Many of the subsequent chapters discuss how these systems implement the topics being covered.
New chapter on semistructured data, its relationship to XML, and query languages for XML.
New chapter on data warehouse design using dimensionality modeling. Introduction of colour to highlight the text where necessary and improve navigation through the book.
Additional Web resources at .booksites.net, such as full implementation of the case studies, and lab notes for Access and Oracle. Companion Website for Database Systems; booksites.net/connolly Received on Tue Apr 30 2002 - 16:23:53 CEST