Database Processing: Fundamentals, Design, and Implementation, Ninth Edition [Hardcover]

David Kroenke (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 11, 2003 | ISBN-10: 0131015141 | ISBN-13: 978-0131015142 | Edition: 9

Database Processing, 9/E provides a solid, modern foundation in the fundamentals of database processing. This new edition proves to be the most comprehensive revision of the book yet, with expanded and updated treatment of cutting-edge technologies like XML and ADO.NET. ADO.NET, SQL, SQL Server, XML, Oracle, the entity-relationship model, database management, database redesign. For database administrators, database designers, application programmers, or other professionals in the field who want a complete, up-to-date, easy-to-use database book.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

Database Processing, 9/E provides a solid, modern foundation in the fundamentals of database processing. This new edition proves to be the most comprehensive revision of the book yet, with expanded and updated treatment of cutting-edge technologies like XML and ADO.NET. ADO.NET, SQL, SQL Server, XML, Oracle, the entity-relationship model, database management, database redesign. For database administrators, database designers, application programmers, or other professionals in the field who want a complete, up-to-date, easy-to-use database book.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 720 pages
• Publisher: Prentice Hall; 9 edition (March 11, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0131015141
• ISBN-13: 978-0131015142
• Product Dimensions: 11.4 x 8.5 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.6 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 2.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (21 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #865,142 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Avoid this rambling mess at all costs!, August 22, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Database Processing: Fundamentals, Design, and Implementation, Ninth Edition (Hardcover)

This textbook is, without question, one of the WORST I've ever come across - and I've read many. Not only have I had a significant amount of education (I'm currently working on a second master's degree) but have also spent many years teaching others (including graduate level courses). Considering that this is the ninth edition, it's hard to understand why anyone would continue to use it as an "introductory" text. Even the headings found on Amazon reviews from the last edition clearly highlight just some of the numerous problems that remain in this obscenely overpriced book; these include statements such as:

* Miserable Book
* Avoid - do NOT use book as reference do NOT use in a class!
* Not for the faint of heart
* Author knows, the rest of us guess
* NOT a good book for beginners


There have been so many complaints in my own introductory database class, that our instructor is now actively seeking another text to use instead of this one.

So, what exactly is wrong with this book? Plenty! Examples:

1. Verbose to an extreme - rambling discussions regarding topics that are only remotely related to the topic being covered.
2. Examples are filled with mistakes or are just plain wrong. My copy is now filled with corrections and comments from my instructor to NOT use the examples provided.
3. Chapter "summaries" are, more often than not, two or more full pages of solid text - and these are just the "summaries." Neither the author nor the editors of this book seem cognizant of just what a summary is - ever heard of bullet points, guys?
4. One of the most basic, primary, characteristics of quality teaching is the ability to "teach a little and then apply it." Instead, Kroenke bombards the senses with an ENORMOUS number of concepts in every single chapter, there is simply so much, that it is not possible to assimilate everything that is covered. Kroenke even has the audacity to note, in the introduction of one chapter near the beginning of the book, that readers should read the chapter "several times" in order to understand the material! Sure, it is often important to re-read SOME things but not entire chapters! Regardless of how many times you do attempt to get through the material - much remains incomprehensible due to horribly imcomprehensible presentation of the material!
5. Diagrams and other graphic materials are spread all over each chapter, although usually on pages other than their explanation. Not only does this make things extremely difficult when trying to understand them but the very fact that one must read an extensive amount of text just to even begin understanding what the example provides, before trying to figure out the exact concept that the example is trying the demonstrate, defeats the entire purpose of graphic examples in the first place!

I've now resorted to buying other books in order to understand what we're covering in our class. That has, without question, been FAR more useful than wasting anymore time with this nightmare.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars The most frustrating worthless book for beginners. AVOID IT, November 29, 2003

By 

William A. Seipel (Brimfield, IL United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Database Processing: Fundamentals, Design, and Implementation, Ninth Edition (Hardcover)

I had to purchase this for an intro to Databases class. The author chooses to use vocabulary that easily confused EVERYONE taking this class.

We often joke before going into class. We all hate this book and wish another were in it's place. Since the textbook is hard to understand, it's caused alot of frustration for the class. Not everyone likes the class as much, BECAUSE the text is so verbose.

I know that I'll have to learn more about databases in the future and I've learned alot from other sources already. However, this piece of garbage will promptly go where it belongs when I finish this class.

In the burnpile, in my backyard. There, I will burn things that are useless, like this book.

I could return it to the bookstore. But that would mean someone else would suffer the same frustration. You could also argue that the bookstore would give me money for the book, when they do their annual book buyback.

I would naturally insist that they spend the money on textbooks that teach, not confuse and frustrate.

Perhaps the author should read George Orwell's Essay on how to write effectively: Politics and the English Language (1946)

Here's a link:

http://www.resort.com/~prime8/Orwell/patee.html

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars I hate this book, September 22, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Database Processing: Fundamentals, Design, and Implementation, Ninth Edition (Hardcover)

I am a student and I spent $120 for this book because it was required for my class. I am now having to find other books because this one is so difficult to use. Yes, almost every page has a pretty color graphic, but I would definitely have preferred more black+white images and clearer, less obtuse explanations. I will not keep this book in my library - as soon as class is over, I will be getting rid of this book.