Customer Reviews

Pro SQL Server 2000 Database Design

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

How much do you already know about designing and implementing a SQL database? That is really two questions.

The first refers to applying a well trodden theory of SQL design to your application. What tables should you conceptually extract? How should these be interrelated by judicious choice of primary and foreign keys? What are the germane attributes in each table? All these issues are explained by Davidson in the first part of the book. He goes well into discussing how to normalise data, and the numerous normal forms. He does this at a level independent of SQL Server. So even if your database is dB2 or Oracle or whatever, you should be able to profitably gain something from his teachings.

But having designed your database, now comes having to implement it. The second part of the book. Here is the SQL Server specific material. The details specific to its implementation do matter. But you know what? A fair amount of the examples use mostly standard SQL commands. In your application, you should probably strive to do likewise, to the maximum extent possible. It minimises the amount of inevitable lockin to SQL Server.

There are also sections in the second part that apply to any relational database. Like his description of best practices, in chapter 13.

Davidson presents a useful balance between design and implementation. A favourable contrast to texts that predominently deal with only one aspect.

This isn't your typical technical book. While Mr. Davidson does go into the technical aspects of logical and physical design, he does so in a way that the focus is not "how-to", but "how-should". It reads as if you're listen to a seasoned professional share his experience.

The book covers the entire database design process, from practical matters like discovering and refining business requirements to the actual implementation. Much of the information covered actually applies to any relational database platform. I've been doing this type of work for the last 10 years, and this book has a permament place on my bookshelf.

I've read several books on SQL Server and database design, but this one, i think, give the best view on both.
The first half of the book is solely focused on the design, and business-oriented side of your database - the first three chapters are littered with "Consult your client, Consult your client, Consult your client," which keeps you in the mindset that your whole endeavor is focused on keeping the customer happy, which makes the whole process seem much more human than most of the other more technical books.
the second half covers every detail of how you would physically implement your solution, from how to build the tables, to what kind of hardware you would need, and even covers which version of Windows Server and SQL Server you would need for each job.

Overall, I simply love this whole book. And if you really want to complete your knowledge of SQL Server as a whole, couple this with Microsoft SQL Server 2000 Unleashed (2nd Edition) by Sams, and you'll soon become a SQL monster.