Re: Table Design In General

"Chris" <ctaliercio_at_yahoo.com> wrote in message news:1116429690.430385.301470_at_g49g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...
>I am a programmer with extensive exposure working with Oracle
> databases. However, up until now, I have been working with databases
> that were either designed without my input, or for other applications.
> This is my first forray into the actual design of the database.
>
> I have been doing some reading and am just starting to grasp the
> concept of using a "dumb" primary key in combination with a unique key.
> I understand the theory, but am not 100% sure on the practice.
>
> How does one go about working with tables that are linked via "dumb"
> keys? Is the best practice to create a View that gives you all the data
> you need to see, and edit it accordingly?
>
> As a newbie to this process, I appreciate any time you may take to
> respond. If you can point me to any online literature that would also
> be appreciated.
>
> Thanks in advance,
>
> Chris
>

Be ready for some strong opinions on this one.

I'd suggest obtaining one or both of the following classics:

David Hay -- Data Model Patterns: Conventions of Thought (ISBN: 0-932633-29-3)
David Barker -- Case*Method: Entity Relationship Modelling (ISBN: 0201416964 )

Also, look over some of the articles at Dave Hay's site: http://www.essentialstrategies.com/

++ mcs Received on Wed May 18 2005 - 11:37:06 CDT