Beginning Database Design

by Gavin Powell

Book Overview

The perfect reference for programmers, administrators, or Web designers who are new to database development and are uncertain as to how to design and structure a database efficiently Shows how to... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0764574906
• ISBN13: 9780764574900
• Release Date: December 2005
• Publisher: Wrox Press
• Length: 467 Pages
• Weight: 1.64 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.1" x 7.5" x 9.1"

Customer Reviews

Anyone considering to learn database programming should read this book.

The following is an unaltered email I sent to Gavin Powell. I sent it because before I read his book about a year ago, I programmed only front end code and it has not only helped me understand what I was dealing with when sending / receiving data between client and server, but enabled me to design a smart MySQL database that otherwise would have been over normalized, therefore saving myself hours and hours of writing and testing join queries. So I wanted to thank him. I'm posting the email I wrote because I hope someone in a similar position will benefit. Hi, Gavin. First, I'm a huge fan. I read the book you wrote for Wrox - ' Beginning Database Design' and use it as a reference - not usually for technical reference, but more often to remind me why and how... we should design data models. I'm still a novice in comparison with real pros, but I have a solid foundation. It's a very important book to me. I finally had time to look at your site and was really surprised and impressed by your dedication to music. I'm a guitar player and have been for 26 years. It was my primary (also was tending bar) profession for a few unpleasant years. I can tell you've been playing for a long time too. Music led me to become a programmer. Keeping track of albums, their authors, the songs on them, the other albums on which the songs may or may not appear depending upon the country in which the album was released (i.e.The Beatles collection) taught me the need for abstracting elements that change from sets of elements that don't. The sad part is that since I began relying on programming for subsistence, I rarely indulge in writing music anymore ( nearly 3 years). I intend to change that... So basically, I just wanted to send a fan letter to let you know you've affected another real person. Thanks for a very well written book and reassurance/evidence that human minds are NOT either logical or creative, but both. Thanks, Brandon Aikin

Win by Beginning Database Design with Gavin Powell

Buy this Book Now! Gavin's textbook on Beginning Database Design takes you from 0 to 60 in 3 seconds...or 60 to 120 in 1 second...it's for the Novice to get started right or for the Seasoned Database Programmer to revisit the fundamentals... A must have for Program or Project Managers who need to know what the heck their programmers are up to...

You need know-how and the extra tips here to get ahead

Typical beginner books give you the how-to-do-it while ignoring the human side of the story. Gavin Powell's book provides both. Having been a database consultant myself for many years, I know that the secret to success is a healthy combination of tech-skills and people-skills. Here is a quote from Powell's book that tells it like it is: "There is no point in building a database design if it is not accepted because people simply don't like you. ...Many technical people think that being liked is unimportant. They are wrong!" Gavin's hard-headed common sense is everywhere in the book, sprinkled liberally within the nuts and bolts of how to design a robust, well-tuned database. Other features I like include: the comprehensive glossary and index; the exercises at the end of chapter with solutions; and the large amount of working SQL examples throughout.

Fantastic! Comprehensive reference for novice and expert.

I am very impressed with the presentation of the material to cover introductory as well as advanced topics. I am a senior developer and still involved with designing of systems. I regard myself as an expert designer. This is a book you can buy and keep for a long time. There are some topics covered which I have always wondered about in my 25 years of software development, and now I have everything together in one book. Database design is a crucial aspect of all systems and can make or break your system especially in terms of maintainability. This book will surely help you design robust databases that can live long in your application - a must have for every database designer and programmer!

Excellent reference!

This book is an excellent medium-level introduction to Database design. As a programmer, I was never really taught how to design efficient DBs or rather the art of doing it effectively. Believe it or not working with databases is more than just using SELECT or UPDATE commands. I believe DB Design is for rather medium to advanced users. So, others complains about the level of this book is unfair and irrelevant in my opinion. But you be the judge of that.