Product Description

The Prentice Hall Essence of Computing Series provides a concise, practical and uniform introduction to the core components of an undergraduate computer science degree. Acknowledging the recent changes within Higher Education, this approach uses a variety of pedagogical tools - case studies, worked examples and self-test questions, to underpin the students learning.

The Essence of Databases offers a text for those students with no prior knowledge of the subject. In simple, straightforward terms the book describes the basic concepts which underpin the technology of database systems.

The main areas covered are database design, relational systems, object oriented systems, distributed systems and the internal management and control of database systems. There is also a chapter on "traditional" database models (heirarchic and network).

The section on database design provides a detailed summary of semantic data modelling concepts and examines how they are implemented in commonly used methodologies such as ER modelling, Functional Data Modelling and Semantic Object Modelling. The design principles outlined in this chapter are later applied in greater detail in the later sections on relational and object orientated systems, making an explicit link between the theory and practice of database technology.

The section on internal management demonstrates how logical database structures are stored in physical devices and considers the related problems of concurrent access control and database transaction integrity. There is a closing chapter on distributed systems which focuses mainly on the complexities of internal management that they create.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #183365 in Books
• Published on: 1997-07-30
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 240 pages

Customer Reviews

Concise slim database book
It is unusual for a database book of this size to cover so much in a comprehensive way. Each chapter contains about 20 pages and covers an essential topic in a concise but very satisfactory way. At the end of each chapter there is suggested further reading should you need to dip into a much larger database book.

This is ideal for todays students, as the book can easily be read from cover to cover without too much effort. Despite its size the book covers topics accurately and well.

A good study/revision guide for HNC/HND students
The book does what it sets out to do - that is it provides a concise account of database systems. It must be noted that it is one of the smallest database textbooks that I have seen. It remains concise by means of a careful selection of material - with the exception of chapter 6 (traditional database models), which in my opinion is a complete waste of time on the grounds that most of the students will never see any such DBMS's.

I was particularly pleased to see a significant set of exercises and both references and further reading for each chapter. I would have no problem recommending this book to all computing students as a study or revision guide, rather than as a main text-book. If they use this book they will have to supplement their reading - making full use of the references at the end of each chapter in the book.

Good Little Book
This book is a great starting point for learning databases. it covers a lot of basic material and some more in depth, with some good SQL examples.

recommended if your starting a database course at university (and possible even A-level).