Title Mastering Data Modeling: A User-Driven Approach Authors John Carlis & Joseph Maguire Publisher Addison-Wesley Publication Date December 2000 ISBN 0-201-70045-X Price $44.95 (U.S) Pros Complete outline of how to use the LDS notation. End-of-chapter exercises. Cons Its somewhat academic tone. Verdict This is one of the better books on data modeling that I've run across.

In "Mastering Data Modeling: A User-Driven Approach," John Carlis and Joseph Maguire present a step-by-step approach to creating a data model by using the Logical Data Structures (LDS) notation and process. The book presents each potential problem that you could run across in a succinct chapter (many chapters are only a few pages in length) and then provides a solution. It starts with the basics, such as what an entity or an attribute is, to how they should be represented diagrammatically, and then moves on to relationships, constraints and so on. At the end of each chapter one of my favorite features: a set of exercises that further helps to reinforce the concepts outlined by the authors.

The authors have not only concentrated on the data model itself but have also touched upon how to communicate the information to users and on getting users involved in the modeling process. This is a critical element in the design of any database and is too often overlooked by many organizations. Although the topic is very theoretical, very practical suggestions are incorporated throughout the book to make creating a data model in the real world easier.

The faults of this title are more stylistic than anything else. I like the content and it is well presented; however, the style of the book reminds me of textbooks I read in university (and often fell asleep to). Both of the authors have strong academic backgrounds and one is still a university professor, which may account for this. While they have toned down the academic tone of the book somewhat, an assumption about a certain level of knowledge by the reader is apparent in the language and tone of the book. In other words, your great-aunt who can surf the net probably would not be able to understand what is being presented, but anyone with some database background should be able to get through it.

If you are looking for a book that succinctly outlines how to create data models and provides a workable approach to the topic that can be understood by users with a database or business process background, this one is for you. Those just starting out may find this book a bit of a tough go, but the exercises at the end of each chapter may help in understanding the topics presented.

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