Data Modeling (Contemporary Issues in Information Systems) [Paperback]

G. Lawrence Sanders (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 10, 1995 | ISBN-10: 0877090661 | ISBN-13: 978-0877090663 | Edition: 1

Focusing on fundamental data modeling concepts, this text prepares readers to design, build, and implement systems of higher organizational value.

Product Details

• Paperback: 160 pages
• Publisher: Course Technology; 1 edition (January 10, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0877090661
• ISBN-13: 978-0877090663
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 7.2 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (17 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,096,906 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Moves rapidly from introductory to advanced practicality, April 11, 2001

By 

Michael JR Jose (the UK) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Data Modeling (Contemporary Issues in Information Systems) (Paperback)

I have introduced a good variety of developers and analysts to this little book with a positive reaction on all occasions. It makes very few assumptions and moves rapidly from the introductory level to advanced practicality. The author has a style which is commendably concise and precise, relaxed but not wordy, illustrating with copious diagrams. His enthusiasm and professional attitude are obvious, his experience coming from extensive teaching and consulting in the USA and China. He promotes data modeling and database design for systems of any size by entity relationship analysis and diagramming and speaks as a generalist, not tied to any specific database technology.

Chapter 1: the difference between conceptual, logical, and physical database design. Good for those who need to be released from inveterately thinking at the physical level.

Chapter 2: the Entity Relationship Diagram (ERD), entity attributes, cardinality, recursive relationships, optional/mandatory bounds, and a fascination little section on Quillan's semantic data model for artificial intelligence (AI) knowledge modelling.

Chapter 3: how to convert ERD's to relational tables, and performance v. flexibility.

Chapter 4: worked examples - a range of simple starter data models. Includes Human Resources dept., tech support, ticket reservation systems, a charity, industrial production operations manage systems, and activity-based costing.

Chapter 5: strategic database planning across the organisation to avoid duplication of effort.

Chapter 6: Object-oriented data modeling (unfortunately predating UML, time for a second edition Lawrence!).

The appendix covers normalization of a relational data model beautifully, including create/update/delete anomalies, functional dependency between attributes, and Normal Form (first normal form, second normal form, third normal form, and domain key normal form (DKNF)). There is an useful reference bibliography and index.

Excellent value, highly recommended.

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great introductory text, June 17, 2000

By 

Andreas L. Matern (Boston, MA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Data Modeling (Contemporary Issues in Information Systems) (Paperback)

A logically and consisely written primer to the fundamentals of data modeling. At 123 pages of text (plus an appendix)it offers the advanced data modeler nothing more than a well-written review of the basic ideas behind modeling. However, novices to the concept will be able to quickly apply sound data modeling methodolgy after reading this book.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An excellent introductory on data modeling, August 26, 1997

By 

[e-mail] (Los Angeles, California) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Data Modeling (Contemporary Issues in Information Systems) (Paperback)

This is an excellent introductory text book on data modeling, but I bet even experts will find it useful. It is amazing how much information this short volumn contains. It has an exceptional treatment on E-R to relational tables mapping. It also provides a catalog of E-R diagrams that is extremely useful for learning