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An Introduction to Relational Database Theory

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Overview:: This is a book on the theory of Relational Databases, for beginning database design students. The book gives the ABC's of relational databases with definitions of the terms and vocabulary.
Type of Material:: This is a book, downloadable PDF file.
Recommended Uses:: For use by Instructors and students in an undergraduate course in Information Technology and introductory database class.
Technical Requirements:: PDF reader application.
Identify Major Learning Goals:: An introductory book on Relational Databases for undergraduates in Information Technology. Students will learn the basics of relational databases, how to design a database, by defining tables, relationships, and database variables.
Target Student Population:: Undergraduate students in a University setting in the Information Technology program.
Prerequisite Knowledge or Skills:: Basic Algebra and a basic understanding of how to use a computer i.e. keyboard and mouse.

Rating:
Strengths:: This is a very good introductory book on Relational Databases. Its strengths lie in the definitions, illustrations and detailed explanations of the theories and concepts relating to the theory. Content is professional; quality, with many illustrated step by step tutorials to re-enforce the database concepts under study.
Concerns:: The web site from which the book is downloaded (bookboon.com) apparently inserts advertisements throughout the pages of the textbook. This may be inappropriate in some circumstances, such as adopting the book as a required textbook in a course.

Rating:
Strengths:: This book is an effective study guide for students needing to learn the ABC's of relational databases. It is a good tool for instructors who which to introduce their students to the theory of relational database. Content is logically laid out with each concept building on the previous concept. Each concept is also clearly illustrated so that students can quickly note if they're performing the exercises correctly.
Concerns:: Inserted advertisements tend to interrupt the flow of the content, distracting. The content is geared to "general" database concepts, rather than to a specific database product, thus there are few "hands on" exercises using actual database software.

Rating:
Strengths:: Easy to use for both the Instructor and the students. This book has great illustrations, very good definitions, and good explanations. The table of contents identifies each topic area and there are good transitions from one topic to the other. The approach of the textbook makes "seeing" the application of the various database concepts quite straightforward. The pacing of the content is also good, with a written explanation of each concept, followed by an illustrated example.
Concerns:: Again, the inserted advertisements water down the overall effectiveness of the content by distracting the student from the concepts.

Other Issues and Comments:: This is a high-quality textbook that provides students with a straight-forward path toward understanding basic database concepts, as well as generally good database design practices. But the advertisements inserted throughout the text are distracting and give the book an unprofessional look. Could not recommend using as a required text in a college-level course.
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