PATTERNS OF DATA MODELING- P4: Models provide the means for building quality software in a predictable manner. Models let developers think deeply about software and cope with large size and complexity. Developers can think abstractly before becoming enmeshed in the details of writing code. Although models are beneficial, they can be difficult to construct. That is where patterns come in. Patterns provide building blocks that help developers construct models faster and better. | Contents xi Part VI Relational Database Design 203 Chapter 16 Relational Database Design 205 Mapping Entity Types 205 Mapping Non-Qualified Relationships 206 Mapping Qualified Relationships 208 Mapping Generalizations 210 Design Identity 212 Referential Integrity 216 Miscellaneous Database Constraints 218 Indexes 220 Generating SQL Code 220 Chapter Summary 221 Bibliographic Notes 222 References 222 Appendix A Explanation of the UML Notation 223 Entity Type 223 Relationships 224 Generalization 227 Bibliographic Notes 227 References 228 Appendix B Explanation of the IDEF1X Notation 229 Entity Type 229 Relationships 230 Generalization 233 Bibliographic Notes 234 References 234 Appendix C Glossary 235 Index 241 Preface I know there is a need for this book. I have been modeling application and enterprise data for 25 years now the last 15 as a consultant to dozens of organizations. I m often asked how I conceive software models and why I construct them a certain way. Methodology books including my own prior books give an answer for beginners. They present concepts notation and a simple process. This new book provides the next level of techniques for building models for those who have mastered the basics. When I build models my thought processes revolve around patterns. This book provides detailed patterns as a basis for more expertly building data models. This book focuses on databases and not on programming because most commercial software is built around a database. The database representation the data model sets the scope for the software determines its flexibility affects its quality and influences whether the software succeeds or fails. This book can help readers avoid mistakes. I know that with tried and tested patterns I could have avoided some of my past modeling mistakes. This book can help readers build better models. I rifled through past consulting projects and noted the improvements in my recent models. If .
