BUSINESS MODELING FOR DATABASE DESIGN: Formalizing the Informal (PRACTICAL DATABASE FOUNDATIONS Book 1)

Few data management aspects are as misunderstood and abused as business modeling and database design. There is broad confusion about various types of model and levels of information representation; and poor knowledge about the relational data model (RDM) vs. the alternatives, the practical implications thereof and data fundamentals in general.

This is an introduction to the foundation knowledge critical for business modeling for database design and the formalization of informal business models into logical database models that can be computerized and managed by a DBMS.

It explains in accessible language:
· Conceptual, logical, physical and data models;
· Levels of representation;
· Data independence
· The relational data model;

Note: The paper is preamble to the other papers in this series that treat various aspects of database management in more depth and detail.

Table of Contents

Series Preface

1. Business Modeling
1.1. Basic Modeling Concepts
1.2. Business Rules
1.2.1. Property Rules
1.2.2. Class Rules
1.2.3. Associative Entities
1.3. Business Models

2. Database Design
2.1. Formalizing the Informal
2.2. Predicates and Propositions
2.3. The Relational Data Model
2.3.1. Relational Structure
2.3.2. Relational Manipulation
2.3.3. Relational Integrity
2.4. Logical Models

3. Understanding Database Management
3.1. Note on missing values
3.2. A Foundation Framework

Appendix A: Constraint Formulation and Verification
Appendix B: Integrity Constraints in Dataphor’s D4
Appendix C: Applying the Framework

References