Customer Reviews

Data and Reality

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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.

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.

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.

This text is deemed fundamental by, for instance, Christopher J DATE, the current leader in the field of Relational Data Management. This alone is reason enough to grant it a place at my wishlist.