Database Development Starters

[SLiedig]

Hello fellow developers,

I was hoping someone could help me out here.

I work for a web design company in Philadelphia and spreading my interests into database development, which we are looking into implementing in the not so distant future. I have a little programming experience, though not extensive.

My dilema: where does one start? At present my head is spinning with the possibilities I have been researching, and the more I learn the harder it is to decide what exactly I need to know, what technologies we would have to implement, and what type of database we would have to develop and which platform it should go on.
If someone could help with a point in the right direction or some tips I would be most grateful.

Sincerely,

Steve

[Masaaki]

Hi.

Before I write my idea about your question, I say that I'm not a professitonal web developer.

1)We need the info about the cuurrent web system.
Or, you have to work whatever system on the customer side?

2)How about the budget of devloping the database system on web server side?

Simply saying, the popluar combination is like these.
1) Window NT Server + IIS4.0 + ASP(Active Server Page)
2) Unix or Linux + Oracle + Java + Javascript.
3) Unix or Linux + Oracle or Other Server + Perl.

4) Web developer have to check the same performace of these system
on both Internet Explorer and Netscape.
For example, my previous company is developing E-commerce site
by Unix + Netscape web server + Java + Javascript.

But this comibnation is too slow to query the data on IE.
They neglect this since they don't have much time and people.

Last, if you ask the dif among the perfomace of each system, I can't say that. I think that it depends on the code of the programmer.
If you find the good progammer and the database Admin, you will develop the good E-commerce site.

Good luck.
-Masaaki Onishi-

[eahmed]

In sort, you need to now a lot. I suggest that you start by understanding some database theory before you start to look at individual products. If you’re comfortable with reading text books, there’s an excellent book called “An Introduction to Database Systems” that was just recently released in it’s third edition. This book is written by C.J. Date, one of the most influential people in the relational database field. He also writes about other types of database systems in this book, so it’s a very good starting point. The only catch is that this book is a text book and may be difficult to read and can be, in my opinion, intimidating to a someone new to the field since the pace of the book is rather quick. You can find the review for the book here: http://codeguru.developer.com/mfc/bookreview/IntroToDbSys.shtml

Another book, called Designing Relational Database Systems, is more of a tutorial. This book is written in a very “friendly” way and covers fundamental topics. The book is by R. M. Riordan and was recently published by MS Press [isbn: 073560634X]. I’ll be posting a review for it in two weeks in the newsletter.

Once you’ve read and understood most of the above material, then it’s time to start looking at individual products. You’ll be in a better position to make an informed choice and your overall design will be much better than if you try to create your app without the background knowledge.

Good luck!

Essam Ahmed
CodeGuru Newsletter Guy

[SLiedig]

Thank you very much to everyone for replying to my questions. I am looking into the recommendations and suggestions you have made. I will be sure to wear my reading glasses.

Any more ideas, keep em' comin'!

Thanks

Steve