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Title: Data Modeling Made Simple: A Practical Guide for Business & Information Technology Professionals
ISBN: 0977140008
Author:
Steve Hoberman
Publicate Date: 2005-10-17
Publish: 2005-10-17
List Price: $18.95
Average Customer Rating: 4.0
Format: Paperback
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Amazon Lowest New Price: $11.10
Amazon Lowest Used Price: $11.43
Amazon Merchant Price: $12.89
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| Customer Review: |
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1: A must read for those in need of Data Modeling Basics
This book focuses on the basics, leaving theory, history and more advanced topics to Steve's first book, Data Modeler's Workbench. Steve writes in a very easy to read style. Throughout the text, he provides exercises designed to get the reader thinking, with references to his Web site for insight into his own thoughts about the questions he has posed. In 12 chapters, the book progresses logically from defining what a data model represents to explaining entities, data elements and relationships, to the types of models, normalization and the physical data model. He then goes further to discuss approaches to building a model and validation techniques. All in all providing a comprehensive first look at data models for those who are not modelers and a quick reference for less experienced modelers. This quick read will be appreciated by any audience - from students to IT management to the business users of the final database design.
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2: Superficial and way too "simple"
Upon taking on the role of Data Architect, I needed to get up to speed on data modelling, beyond the simple ERD (Entity Relationship Diagram) that is the staple of the trade. This is a small book, and even though it was clearly superficial, I actually took the time to read word for word, because I was hungry for something I didn't already know. Specifically examples of other types of models. This was the VERY basics, only useful to someone who knows nothing at all about data, databases, and data entities. If you are absolutely clueless, this might provide some basic foundation for further study, and I was unable to find anything better on Amazon. This is a topic that is not well documented, as best I've been able to tell.
If you study UML, you will get a better understanding of the mechanics (not the reasoning) in their data modelling chapters. I have yet to see a good model discussion that explains the difference between logical and physical modelling (this book's explanation was very light and zero examples), the role of the data owner, retention, security, how it's used in the applications, any of those architecture issues that should affect a model.
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3: Lives up to its reputation
As the "new kid on the block" in my data architecture group, I attended my first DAMA conference in March. One of the sessions I sat in on was given by an IT manager for the Department of State in Washington. The speaker ended her talk with five things they did to make their project a success, and one of them was giving Data Modeling Made Simple to everyone in their department, even the business folks.
I made a note of this title and did not buy the book until recently, but I'm glad I did and wish I bought it sooner. I was able to read the book cover to cover during my lunch break in less than a week and picked up some great messages. Here are the techniques that make this book five stars:
1. The business card example - explaining data modeling with something so simple like a business card is a great method, and I should have bought this book back in March just for this example. A business card is chock full of data and is used to tie all of the data modeling concepts in the book together.
2. Normalization - this is a topic I used to struggle with before reading this book. Steve's simple steps in Chapter 8 are easy to follow and remember.
3. Data Model Scorecard - this is how Steve reviews a model. A template is provided that my company is using and so far the feedback is positive.
The one thing I think Steve should have included in the book is a comparison to other modeling notations. Steve uses information engineering (IE) notation and I would like to see a short side-by-side comparison with IDEFIX (which we use here).
Data Modeling Made Simple is easy to read and understand, and I think it is true that someone that does not have a technical background can also benefit from reading this book.
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4: Worthless if you already know anything about data modeling
Mislead by other reviews. Covers only basics of ERD style modeling. Not current with any UML approaches. If you only do Oracle and have never modeled, this might be a good start. Would have returned it if I could.
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5: Terrible book. Don't waste your money. Seriously.
The word "pain" comes to mind when reading this book. I was
looking forward to find out what a "master" data modeler might have
to say and the knowledge imparted. I was disappointed within the first
couple of pages. The second huge word that comes to mind right
from the start is "confusion". Unless you are a database guru
you will find the explanations in the book utterly confusing.
To give an example: the concepts for candidate key, primary
key, alternate key, surrogate key and foreign key are all
explained within the length of 1 page! You tell me you've
mastered those concepts by reading only 1 page (page 30)?
Are you kidding me? What is the author thinking? Is this a
dictionary or a book to learn from?
Data modeling can be quite complex especially when it borrows from
data base concepts. When data modeling is made "Simple"
(as the book's cover states) then it becomes useless.
As useless as this book is.
Seriously! I'm not trying to knock it. I'm just being straight forward.
This book does not explain anything that a person can pick up
and say: "oh I understand that", "it's clear to me". Surprisingly
disappointed. Sad book. Is there something less than 1 star?
(And I actually read the reviews by the other people who gave it
5 stars before I bought it).
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