Data and Reality [Paperback]

William Kent (Author)

Product Details

• Paperback: 276 pages
• Publisher: 1st Book Library (April 20, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1585009709
• ISBN-13: 978-1585009701
• Product Dimensions: 7.8 x 5 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,516,011 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

William Kent (1936-2005) was a renowned researcher in the field of data modeling. Author of Data and Reality, he wrote scores of papers and spoke at conferences worldwide, posing questions about database design and the management of information that remain unanswered today.

Though he earned a bachelor's degree in chemical engineering and a master's in mathematics, he had no formal training in computer science. Kent worked at IBM and later at Hewlett-Packard Laboratories, where he helped develop prototype database systems. He also served on or chaired several international standards committees.

Kent lived in New York City and later Menlo Park, Calif., before retiring to Moab, Utah, to pursue his passions of outdoor photography and protecting the environment.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I should have read the book 30 years ago but I didn't!, January 6, 2012

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Perazzi25 - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Data and Reality (Paperback)

I did my PhD in database in the early 80s. This book by W. Kent was around already and I heard about it but did not have a copy of it. Had I read the book, my research work would have been 10 times better. This current printing is the reprint of the original one. The author mentioned in the preface that he was asked to update the book but he didn't because he thought it was still up to date (and I absolutely agree).

If you are in data modeling and database area, believe me, this is a must read. It is about the philosophy of data modeling and how data and reality are related. In my opinion, its content cannot be obsoleted. It is technology independent. The concept of naming and identification alone is priceless for data modelers. I can't believe I have been working in the database area for more than 30 years without it.

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the best books on data and modeling I have read, August 17, 2011

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R. Ordowich - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Data and Reality (Paperback)

This book does bring a sense of "reality" to data and data modeling. The author provides a fresh perspective on data and data modeling without being dogmatic about which way is the best way to represent data. He exposes some of the subtle but critical factors which everyone working with data needs.
His exposure and description of relationships and how to address them was enlightening.

4.0 out of 5 stars Very Interesting, August 5, 2011

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B. Dargan - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Data and Reality (Paperback)

I found this book following a reference from a Martin Fowler book.

It's been a while since I read it, very interesting discourse on modelling data.