Relational Database Writings 1991-1994 [Hardcover]

Date (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0201824590 | ISBN-13: 978-0201824599 | Publication Date: 1995 | Edition: Facsimile

This book is the fourth in a series. Like its predecessors, the book consists of a collection of papers on various aspects of relational technology. A special feature of the book is Part I, Theory Is Practical! which consists of the first 25 installments of Chris Date's popular column "According to Date" from Database Programming & Design magazine. Other important chapters include four collaborative efforts (three with David McGoveran and one with Hugh Darwen) describing the results of some significant new research into database design, integrity, view updating, and a proposal---"The Third Manifesto"---for an object-oriented/relational rapprochement. The book also includes the text of a debate between Chris Date and E.F. Codd on the handling of missing information, and an interview that Chris Date gave to Data Base Newsletter in 1994. 0201824590B04062001

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

This book is the fourth in a series. Like its predecessors, the book consists of a collection of papers on various aspects of relational technology. A special feature of the book is Part I, Theory Is Practical! which consists of the first 25 installments of Chris Date's popular column "According to Date" from Database Programming & Design magazine. Other important chapters include four collaborative efforts (three with David McGoveran and one with Hugh Darwen) describing the results of some significant new research into database design, integrity, view updating, and a proposal---"The Third Manifesto"---for an object-oriented/relational rapprochement. The book also includes the text of a debate between Chris Date and E.F. Codd on the handling of missing information, and an interview that Chris Date gave to Data Base Newsletter in 1994.

0201824590B04062001

About the Author

C. J. Date is an independent author, lecturer, researcher, and consultant specializing in relational database systems, a field he helped pioneer. Among other projects, he was involved in technical planning for the IBM products SQL/DS and DB2. He is best known for his books, in particular, An Introduction to Database Systems (7th edition, Addison-Wesley, 2000), the standard text in the field, which has sold well over half a million copies worldwide. Mr. Date is widely acknowledged for his ability to explain complex technical material in a clear and understandable fashion.

0201824590AB04062001

Product Details

• Hardcover: 542 pages
• Publisher: Addison Wesley; Facsimile edition (1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0201824590
• ISBN-13: 978-0201824599
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.1 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.7 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,069,128 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

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Essential reading for DBMS students and practitioners., August 7, 1997

By 

[e-mail] (Earth) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Relational Database Writings 1991-1994 (Hardcover)

Just Buy It!

Simply a pleasure to study! The clarity, focus and thought are apparent in each chapter.

Only after enduring so much drivel, twaddle and rubbish in my pursuit of knowledge, skill and wisdom in the field does the breadth of Chris Date's years of thought, practice and study become clear.

Part I demonstrates in no uncertain terms that "Theory Is Practical!" By demonstrating the fundamental premise that relational algebra _must_ produce relations, it become clear that closure is the essential characteristic that most elegantly proves the superiority of the relational model. As a natural consequence, it thoroughly demolishes the OODBMS vendor claims that navigational, CODASYL style access provides any sound basis for long lived systems.

Part I clearly demonstrates the infinite regression that inevitably follows from allowing the dreaded null.

Part I also proves the superiority of simplicity. Through his exposition on tables "DEE" and "DUM", he paints a painfully clear picture of the catostrophic manner in which the vendors have duped us. The collection of DBP&D articles alone justifies the time and money.

What can be said of "the manifesto"; simply a must read for any competent data management professional.

This gentle reader could wax poetic still further, but the point is probably made by now that I'm glad of my purchase and investment...