Intended for beginning database designers and IT professionals this guide provides a non-vendor specific overview of principles and best practices in the creation and implementation of well built data models. Divided into three sections, the work covers basic concepts of data modeling, the design of the conceptual, logical and physical layers of a well organized data model and advanced alternative structures for handling business intelligence, time sensitive data and other alternative design parameters. Chapters focus on specific tasks in database design and include numerous illustrations, expert tips and self-tests with answer keys and other supplemental exercises. Oppel has taught database design in the University of California extension program for over twenty-five years. Annotation ©2011 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)