Absolute Beginner's Guide to Databases

By Harriet Pattison and Alan Thomas

Book Overview

Absolute Beginner's Guide to Databases brings the elements of a database together using easy to understand language, perfect for the true beginner. It not only gives specific hands on practice, but also provides an overview of designing, maintaining and using a database. This book covers what databases are used for, why databases are important, why the design of the database is important, database normalization, keys to solid database design, differences in types of databases, and indexes--what they are, how we use them, and why they are important. This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0826479995
• ISBN13: 9780826479990
• Release Date: March 2008
• Publisher: Continuum
• Length: 168 Pages
• Weight: 1.35 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.5" x 6.6" x 9.6"

Customer Reviews

Absolute is right!

This is just what I was looking for, it's clear and covers the basics, the fourdational information about databases. I'm very pleased with the purchase.

Great for absolute beginners

This won't necessarily be a book you look at much once you've digested its contents. What it does is outline basic database concepts using Access in its examples. You can use the book to get a basic Access database started, but don't rely on it if you're looking to create databases. Get an Access or database design book if that's your primary goal - IF, that is, IF you can make heads or tails out of most of what those books...

A great intro book to databases!

I had no experience with databases before I read this book. I didn't even understand the basic concepts. This book includes basic definitions, detailed database design, SQL statements, how to use Microsoft Access (creating tables, relationships, queries, forms and reports). If you have little or no experience with databases, you will definitely take advantage of this book. It's very easy to read.

Including Visio was a great idea!

I have been looking for a basic, easy to understand book on database analysis and design. It seems like any of the design tools on the market cost 000's of dollars. I had no idea Visio had the abilities Mr. Petersen discussed and illustrated in his book.The one chapter that discussed how to use Visio as a database design tool is enough to convince me this book is a must have for anybody wishing to learn how datbases work!

This book was needed

Finally, a simple and concise book that talks about introductory database concepts AND design. In the matter of a short space, John has done a supurb job of boiling down the material to an understandable level.