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Relational Database Principles (Paperback)

by C. Ritchie (Author) "Most computer applications require a means of holding persistent data; i.e., data that preserves its value between successive invocations of the software that produces it..." (more)
3.9 out of 5 stars See all reviews (9 customer reviews)

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Product details

  • Paperback: 296 pages
  • Publisher: Thomson Learning; 2nd Revised edition edition (25 April 2002)
  • Language English
  • ISBN-10: 0826457134
  • ISBN-13: 978-0826457134
  • Product Dimensions: 25.2 x 17.2 x 2 cm
  • Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
  • Amazon.co.uk Sales Rank: 327,619 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Product Description

Product Description
This title provides an introduction to the practice and principles of relational databases. It emphasises data modelling and the consequent construction of a database and reflects the importance of Structured Query Language (SQL). It also includes: new material on web-based databases; increased coverage of the differences between Access and Oracle in SQL; new material on MySQL; case studies; and sample data on accompanying website.

About the Author
Colin Ritchie is a lecturer in Computer Studies at Glasgow Caledonian University. He has a research degree from Strathclyde University. He is the author of "Operating Systems".
Inside This Book (Learn More)
First Sentence
Most computer applications require a means of holding persistent data; i.e., data that preserves its value between successive invocations of the software that produces it and, indeed, between successive 'switch-ons' of the computer itself. Read the first page
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Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Index | Back Cover
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Customer Reviews

9 Reviews
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4 star:
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Average Customer Review
3.9 out of 5 stars (9 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
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9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:
1.0 out of 5 stars Database miseducation , 20 Jun 2007
By A. J. HAWKEN "Tony Hawken" (London - UK) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   
This review is from: Relational Database Principles (Computing textbooks) (Paperback)
I must disagree with the other reviewers. I find the book a terrible book that is full of mistakes and misunderstood concepts.

The author confuses the 3-level architecture by writing when referring to the 3-level architecture (page 21) "On this basis, the relational model can be seen as a conceptual model". This is complete and utter rubbish, a good relational product will model all 3 levels of the 3-level architecture.

There are significant mistakes in just about every chapter. But probably the worst is chapter 5 - Normalisation. Most of the mistakes arise from a poor definition for first normal form. In the book we have the following
"The first normal form is concerned with multi-valued attributes of design (page 78)". I am not quite sure what this is supposed to mean, as it is far from clear. I would prefer something that is more precise like that given by database authorities such as Chris Date. That is, a relation is in first normal form if and only if all attributes are atomic (Single-valued). In other words, provided each attribute in any given row has a single value you have first normal form. In fact this is an essential property of any table - that is all tables are in 1NF by definition. The author attemps to normalize the data without using functional dependencies, which are barely mentioned. Instead he prefers to partition the tables by inspection, in some cases obtaining the wrong result. I have in the past used his exercises with some of my students, but have done it correctly using functional dependencies.

Not a book that I could possibly recommend. There are now many good books available for all types of student, so why waste money and time on this book. If you want a slim book that is easy to read, I would recommend:

1. The essence of databases. F.D. Rolland. Prentice Hall

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6 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
1.0 out of 5 stars Book doesn't deliver the goods, 22 Oct 1999
By A Customer
This review is from: Relational Database Principles (Computing textbooks) (Paperback)
The book is illogically organised in that you have to keep forward referencing to find out the meaning of terminology introduced previously.

The content of the book is extremely poor in places, because of the omissions and also the porr and often incorrect explanations. For instance the 3 level database architecture is mentioned briefly, but at no time is it stated that the putpose of such an architecture is to achieve data independence, and how this can be achieved. Then in the context of this model it is stated that the relational model can be seen as a conceptual model.

The definitions of the normal forms are extremely poor - possibly worse than those stated in 'A' level computing texts. Taking the definition for first normal form - "The first normal form is concerned with multi-valued attributes of design", the book takes this to mean any redundant data, rather than a repeating group with any one row and column. This ambiguity is then exploited to justify the need to partition a table without any reference to functional dependencies.

The book also includes what I consider to be irrelevant topics. Why bother mentioning the dBASE language as it is neither relational nor used. It also includes two and a half pages about VBA, which is described as a 4GL on the basis that it can be used to directly access a database.

To sum up - This is a rather poor text book on database. Possibly the worst that I have read in years. It is a pity as there are no good textbooks which are accessible to the average HNC and HND students. I have advised my students that if they are going to borrow this book from the library, they should use it with caution.

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9 of 15 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Particularly useful book for undergraduate computing courses, 2 Mar 2001
By pwatson_uk@yahoo.co.uk (Barnsley, England) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Relational Database Principles (Paperback)
I've found this book to be particularly useful for people taking undergraduate courses in computing or database analysis and design.

It introduces the concept of relational databases and presents the reader with easy to follow examples. Each chapter of the book has exercises for the reader, to test their understanding of the covered items.

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Most Recent Customer Reviews

4.0 out of 5 stars Great book
This was actually written by my University lecturer at Glasgow Caledonian, he is a good lecturer and of course he recommended his own book, so I went out and bought it, it really... Read more
Published on 2 Oct 2006 by E. C. McGregor

5.0 out of 5 stars Very essential
IF you are looking for a book that may help you to "think like a database" will, you should buy this book.
Published on 29 April 2003 by pal_car

4.0 out of 5 stars Good introduction to all aspects of databases
This readable and slim book begins with describing how to construct tables effectively, using data modellong techniques. This section for me is the best part of the book. Read more
Published on 5 Dec 2001 by richardadams20

5.0 out of 5 stars A fantastic book for beginners
The author writes in plain English and takes everything from first principles.
Not a huge book, but packed with info - which is a lot better than some of the huge tomes which... Read more
Published on 12 Oct 2001

5.0 out of 5 stars another in a great series
This again is an excelent book, ideal for 2nd years as said in another review. I have worked through one of colin ritchies' other books - "operating systems " it was... Read more
Published on 5 Feb 2001

5.0 out of 5 stars Useful introduction to database principles.
I found this a readable and useful introduction to database principles. It is the type of book I would recommend for a second year course on relational databases. Read more
Published on 23 Jun 2000 by John Carter

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