Feature from 6.5 (July/August 2008)

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Feature

Introducing Databases

How to Design and Use SQL Databases in the REAL World

Issue: 6.5 (July/August 2008)
Author: Mike Titlebaum
Article Description: This session will introduce aspiring programmers to the theory and methodology behind the effective design and usage of relational databases in an increasingly data-driven world. Key database concepts such as one-to-many and many-to-many relationships will be covered. Other important topics will include normalization, primary keys, foreign keys, and effective query design. The session will also show how easy it is to get started with databases using REALbasic together with SQLite, REALbasic's powerful built-in database engine.
Article Length (in bytes): 13,250
Starting Page Number: 16
RBD Number: 6509
Resource File(s):

6509.zip Updated: Tuesday, July 1, 2008 at 11:42 AM

Related Web Link(s):

http://www.sirota.com
http://www.saxmike.com/RW
http://www.sqlite.org
http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/SQL
http://www.w3schools.com/sql/default.asp
http://www.sqliteman.com
http://sqlabs.net/

Known Limitations: None

Excerpt of article text...

Databases (and programming in general) are used to solve business problems. In order to learn about how to use a relational database, let's try to solve a sample business problem we've been presented with. We will soon see why we need to use a relational database rather than a simple spreadsheet.
Let's say we work for a large company. Our company would like to build sports complexes at each of its locations. They would like to determine what kinds of athletic facilities need to be built and then to determine what sports equipment should be purchased for each location. In order to help them make these decisions, we have been asked to design a system that will allow them to keep track of the sports the employees play. The system should be built to the following specifications:
The company has several locations with thousands of employees at each, and wants to find out the most popular sports in each location.
Employees often play multiple sports.
Each sport is played by many different employees.

...End of Excerpt. Please purchase the magazine to read the full article.