Data Modeling Theory and Practice

by Graeme Simsion

DATA MODELING THEORY AND PRACTICE is for practitioners and academics who have learned the conventions and rules of data modeling and are looking for a deeper understanding of the discipline. The coverage of theory includes a detailed review of the extensive literature on data modeling and logical database design, referencing nearly 500 publications, with a strong focus on their relevance to practice. The practice component incorporates the largest-ever study of data modeling practitioners, involving over 450 participants in interviews, surveys and data modeling tasks. The results challenge many longstanding held assumptions about data modeling and will be of interest to academics and practitioners alike.

Graeme Simsion brings to the book the practical perspective and intellectual clarity that have made his Data Modeling Essentials a classic in the field. He begins with a question about the nature of data modeling (design or description), and uses it to illuminate such issues as the definition of data modeling, its philosophical underpinnings, inputs and deliverables, the necessary behaviors and skills, the role of creativity, product diversity, quality measures, personal styles, and the differences between experts and novices.

Data Modeling Theory and Practice is essential reading for anyone involved in data modeling practice, research, or teaching.

Genres: Computer Science

414 pages, Paperback

First published March 15, 2007

About the author

Graeme Simsion is a former IT consultant and the author of two nonfiction books on database design who decided, at the age of fifty, to turn his hand to fiction. His first novel, The Rosie Project, was published in 2013 and translation rights have been sold in forty languages. Movie rights have been optioned to Sony Pictures. The sequels, The Rosie Effect, and The Rosie Result, were also bestsellers, with total sales of the series in excess of five million.
Graeme's third novel was The Best of Adam Sharp, a story of a love affair re-kindled - and its consequences. Movie rights have been optioned by Vocab Films / New Sparta Films with Toni Collette attached to direct.
Creative Differences was originally created as an 'Audible Original' audiobook, but is now in print with a collection of short stories from across Graeme's career.
Two Steps Forward is a story of renewal set on the Camino de Santiago, written with his wife, Anne Buist, whose own books include Medea's Curse, Dangerous to Know and This I would Kill for, The Long Shadow and Locked Ward. Movie rights were optioned by Fox Searchlight. A sequel, Two Steps Onward, was published in 2021.
Graeme is a frequent presenter of seminars on writing. The Novel Project is his practical, step by step approach to writing a novel or memoir.

Reviews

[Joe Danielewicz]

Simsion uses interviews and questioners trying to determine if data modeling is a descriptive or design discipline.

[Robert]

Not as engaging as the bestselling Don Tillman series. That said, there is a certain logical quality to this book that I find quite comforting.

[Angel **Book Junkie** · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ugh!