Editorial Review:
Written by one of the world's leading database authorities, Database Concepts 3e, introduces the essential concepts students need to create and use small databases. Appropriate for all introductory courses or brief courses on database development and management, as well as database courses designed around specific database products such as Microsoft Access, SQL Server, or MySQL.
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Customer Reviews
Average Customer Rating: 
Database Concepts  2008-09-02
This book uses an older version of Access and the value of this book is not what it could be even from a conceptional nature. It is very difficult to read and understand because the various screens having grays on grays with not much contrast. If I were to write a book on database design for a college level course, it would start out with concepts and definitions, not examples of badly designed tables.
You've got to be kidding!  2008-03-02
This has got to be the worst book (textbook or reference) that I've come across in the IT field. I've worked in IT for 25+ years, have a degree from many years ago, and have taken a lot of training along the way --- so I've used many a book through the years. I'm back in school again to refresh my knowledge and taking a class that uses this textbook. The book seems to be filled with so many errors and inconsistencies that it makes it very difficult to stay focused.
After all - if the authors cannot use a spell checker to ensure the text is correct - how are we to know that the technical information is correct.
The instructor has been questioned numerous times about clarification. I would think an instructor has better things to do when conducting a class than to clarify and correct such a poorly written book.
My personal opinion - don't waste your time with this book...spend your money elsewhere. I am in the process of petitioning our college to pull this book from their resources and classes. I had to give a star rating to this review since its required by Amazon.....it didn't even deserve the 1 star I had to give it.
Needs work on MS Access and problem clarification 2007-08-11
Does mention that some SQL queries do not work with Microsoft Access although it does not go into how to handle the SQL queries in Access.
Also some of the homework problems are not very clearly worded and we had to get some clarification from the instructor because the questions could be interpreted several different ways leading to different results.
It was a good book although it does need some rewriting and revision in the next edition. It also should have more on using MS Access instead of just mentioning that the particular query does not work with Access.
This book fills a crucial gap  2005-06-24
So you know how to use your database software, but do you know how to design a good database?
I got lucky when I found this book. I'd been building a database myself after taking a class on MS Access at my local community college. MS Access is so easy to use that I was comfortable and confident. I'd built many related tables and built several queries, forms and reports. No problems. Everything was working fine.
But with each element I added, I got less confident about the DESIGN of my ever-growing database. It was working fine, but were the tables and relationships optimal? As it grew more complex, was I going to make a mistake? Or find a fundamental flaw in my early assumptions? Classes and tutorials on database programs cover design concepts so briefly because they need to cover a lot of details about how to use the program. This book does the exact opposite. It glosses over how to use your software and focuses on design concepts. In the preface, the author says:
"This book does not assume that any particular DBMS [database management system] product will be used [... so ...] all of the concepts are presented in a DBMS-agnostic manner. When learned this way, students come to understand that the fundamentals pertain to any database [...]"
This is why it's shorter than some reviewers seem to think it should be. It isn't "too short." It's "focused." There are plenty of other books that cover the other stuff. This book is clear, concise and accessible. I'm glad it didn't go into more technical details.
It focuses on database fundamentals, design and administration by explaining what each of the following concepts mean and why they're so important: the relational model, normalization, functional dependencies, data modeling, entity-relation model, client-server model, DBA, concurrency control, security, backup and recovery, and even a bit about SQL (the computer language behind your DBMS). You can skip the SQL chapter if you want. I did.
Final word: This book is a quick read and easy to understand. It is a bit pricey, but if it fills a crucial gap in your knowledge, like it did for me, it's well worth the price.
Great introductory book, horrible price 2005-03-09
This is by far the best introductory database book I have ever read or used.
Pro
It is written in very clear English.
It covers the basics of database design very well.
It is not overly technical.
One of the best treatments of normalization I have ever seen.
The exercises at the end of each chapter are well thought out.
Con
The book cost way too much ($60) for an introductory textbook.
The use of the term "theme" was changed to "topic" in the 2nd edition. The editing was faulty and the book only defines topic but used both theme and topic. Not a big deal if you used the first edition and know they mean the same thing but it is confusing to students when the book uses the terms interchangably without defining theme.
This is not a reference for database programmers. If you already understand ERD's and normalization don't buy this book it is meant to be an introduction to database basics not a shelf reference.
I like that the does not cover a lot of history. If you want to know a lot about Codd and the evolution of the different normal forms this is not the book for you. If you want a good introduction to databases for a non-technical class this is the best book you will find in my opinion.
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