Rating: 
Summary: Database Processing: Fundamentals, Design and Implementation
Review: This has got to be the worst book that I have ever read. The author tends to confuse you. I considered myself to be very knowledgable when it comes to databases however, after reading this book I'm more confused than ever. I found myself reading some of the chapters two-three times just to try and understand what the author was attempting to say. It is definitely not a book for beginners.
Rating: 
Summary: One of the best introductory database texts
Review: This is an excellent text. The author presents introductory concepts in database processing including database history, data modeling (both E-R and Semantic models are described), SQL, and introduces new topics (middleware,client-server, etc.). The Salsa software that comes with the text is easy to use and can port into MS/Access (as well as several other db software types).I've used Kronenke's texts in several database classes (as an instructor) and his supplemental instructor materials are also excellent. Regards. Ronald D. McFarland Ronald.McFarland@nau.edu
Rating: 
Summary: Good but lacks proper layout
Review: This is really not a critique of the material in the text since I consider it adequate as a beginners guide to database concepts. Due to my limited experience with database texts I cannot comment more on the actual material, but having read many other technical texts, I can say that the material and the examples provided are laid out poorly. The text will explain a concept, but if you are truly new to this subject, you will find yourself repeatedly flipping back and forth by a few pages to the examples and diagrams that they refer to. Correct this problem for the next edition and all's well.
Rating:
Summary: A solid book, includes Semantic Object Modeling tool.
Review: This is the 5th edition of this MIS/DP oriented textbook, and it covers all the usual database organizations competently. Its strength is in database design; it not only includes
an exposition of Entity-Relationship modeling, it also includes Kroenke's own synthesis of
relational and semantic data modeling techniques, called Semantic Object Modeling.
Semantic Object Modeling generates fully normalized databases directly from the logical
model, and is an object-based model of data and relationships.
A Windows 3.1 program which can be used to create Semantic Object models and create
databases is included on a disk. The tool has a limited selection of database programs to
choose as targets, but will generate ANSI SQL in a text file.
Rating:
Summary: A Very Good Database Design Textbook
Review: Very Good! It is a relational database design textbook. The SQL Server7.0 CD included is a great deal. It goes into E-R Modeling, Normalization and database implementation. Some weaknesses: occasionally the layout may throw out the reader's attention. For example, it is a lot better to discuss about a particular method of design followed by its implementation. The book attempts to first discuss all design methods, then implementation methods, causing some confusion. It is clear that the author would like to give a kick to Semantic Object Modeling (SOM), but it is a hard sale. E-R Modeling is far easier to understand and SOM adds little. In chapter 3 (E-R Modeling), they should ad an advise given to us in class; if the entity appears to be plural, you might need to break it into several entities. This will save a lot of time to students, later, when performing Normalization. The discussion about synthesis of relations (chapter 5 - Normalization) is GREAT! It takes away the "intuition" out of DK/NF. In fact, this chapter should be revised to further stress this concept and relate it to DK/NF. Also, DK/NF should be further explained (right now it is very hard to read and grasp, "intuition" can be taken out by using synthesis) and be central. All other "Normal Forms" need not be stressed, but present it as part of the history of how modification anomalies were initially handled. The reader of this review should still understand only one thing. The book is VERY GOOD. Only because I learned so much, I am now brave enough to suggest the author to revise it.
| 
