Re: Seeking Database Design Guide

The first thing about designing 'relational' databases is not that they're
different than flat files, it's just that they're 'normalized.'

For best results, you need to normalize your databases to at least 3rd
normal form.

--Paul E Musselman
PaulMmn@ix.netcom.com

----------------------------------


>Greetings!
>
>I've long been a critic of companies (I worked for one!) that put
>the PC-based "database du jour" in the hands of employees with a
>semester of DBase, expecting them to whip up a new database with
>important business data.  I keep arguing that without an
>understanding of database design concepts, the most adept PC user
>will still end up creating a database that looks like it was whipped
>up -- in a blender!
>
>Now it's time for the critic to take some of his own medicine.  My
>heritage as an RPG programmer is long on the "flat file" hardware --
>the 5280, the S/34 and S/36 -- but short on the relational aspects
>of the AS/400 (just since '94).  I want to bring my design skills up
>to standard to take advantage of the features DB2/400 offers.
>
>Your advice, please!  I've had lots of experience learning what
>_doesn't_ work.  I'd like to know what books or other sources this
>group would recommend -- not necessarily related to the 400, of
>course.  It's the relational design concepts and "lingo" I'm after.
>
>Thanks!
>David Thomas
>| Phone:  416-922-3899
>| Fax:    416-922-2213
>| E-Mail: dg.thomas@sympatico.ca
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