Database Magic with Ken North
The first book to explain Java in the database has received 4-star reviews from readers on Amazon.com and BarnesandNoble.com. Click here to read a sample chapter (Using Interoperable SQL).
Database Magic with Ken North
Prentice Hall PTR (ISBN 0-13-647199-4)
"very informative" About.com, August 1999
"a standout", San Diego Union-Tribune, April 13, 1999
"highly readable book", TechWeek, February 22, 1999
"enlightens the reader to a number of technologies including database platforms, messaging queuing, application servers, OLE DB, ODBC, JDBC, Java, and ASP", The Data Administration Newsletter, February 1999
"extremely wide-ranging and authoritative guide to today's major database products", Amazon.com Delivers Computer Programming (February 1999)
(To read the complete reviews, click on the hyperlinks)
"Today's database developer faces issues of performance and scalability that are putting a premium on partitioning applications and distributing logic across clients and servers," writes the author of "Database Magic with Ken North." The solution for better performance is often to take advantage of server-side database processing. This extremely wide-ranging and authoritative guide to today's major database products can show you how to let the server do the work with triggers, stored procedures, and even add-on processing. Backed by decades of experience in the field with large corporations (and even NASA), the author shares his wisdom in a readable, intelligent text that surveys most of today's major database tools. This book has something to offer any Information Systems professional who works with databases on the Internet or in a distributed environment."
"North is an advocate of distributed computing, the idea of sharing resources among computers using networks, instead of relying on large, centrally administered computers. In this book he elaborates on the distributed computing philosophy by showing how to put it into day-to-day use with databases.
Because the focus is on the "doing" part of database work, this book is written for computer professionals with a good grasp on technology lingo and the software development process. A good feature of the book is that it is not based on any individual platform or tool, so anyone working with databases will find the information useful.
In an unusual move, North begins the book by taking the time to stress the planning and organization stage of database design. He states that "database design is a process that should be done with a focus on precision as opposed to rapidity and quick results." After the planning stage, the book delves into the power of databases and covers topics such as using servers, Java in databases, Sybase, INFORMIX, IBM DB2 and Microsoft SQL Server. A well-written chapter discusses the importance of ODBC and how it can be used to solve the problem of working with legacy databases while developing cutting-edge technology.
"Database Magic with Ken North" is a good book for developers
whose job responsibilities are changing to include more database design work.
Suzanne A. Smith, San Diego Union-Tribune,
April 13, 1999
"If there is a second edition, this book could easily
become "The Impact of Java in Distributed Technologies."
Michael Yocca, review for The Data
Administration Newsletter
"Often in this hurly-burly industry, people can't take the time to explain details. Database Magic with Ken North, the database columnist at Web Techniques, can fill in some of the gaps in your knowledge of database computing. He also shows you how to make the most of your tools and systems as the database market shifts to new areas such as "active databases" and Web computing.
This highly readable book is "not a primer that
teaches the fundamentals" but is intended for those who "have some experience
with software and databases."
Emily Kaplan, review
for TechWeek
"Database Magic with Ken North is an insider's guide to
the best of server-side design that will be almost indispensable to any
database programmer or manager."
Richard Dragan, review
for Amazon.com
"If you are involved in distributed technology
project decision making, you will enjoy this book."
Michael Yocca
"By the way, your book is VERY interesting."
Jesus Camorna, Instructor, Texas A&M International University
"Good book ... easy reading!
Keep me posted of any new ones you may be writing!"
Mary Brittain, CNA
Today's database projects for intranets, extranets, and the Internet place a premium on server-side programming. This book explains database design, logic in the database, interoperable SQL, and developing applications using popular SQL and object-relational DBMSs. It discusses how to exploit SQL server features such as stored procedures, triggers, and user-defined functions (UDFs). Readers are able to work with examples and scripts for INFORMIX, SYBASE, Microsoft SQL Server, Microsoft Access, and IBM DB2.
Topics covered include:
- Data modeling using Object-Role Modeling and VisioModeler
- Logic in the database and stored procedure programming
- Programming Java stored procedures and UDFs
- Using interoperable SQL
- Programming with ODBC and OLE DB
- Writing Java classes that install in Java-enabled databases
- Sybase and T-SQL programming
- INFORMIX and SPL programming
- Using IBM DB2 and DB2 Extenders
- Microsoft SQL Server, T-SQL, and Extended Stored Procedures
Table of Contents (465 pages, 12 chapters, 6 appendices):
- Preface
- In Search of Database Magic
- Object-Role Modeling, Data Models, and VisioModeler
- Using Servers: Rules and Logic in the Database
- Java in the Database? Objects in the Middle Tier?
- Using Sybase
- Using Informix
- Using IBM DB2
- Using Microsoft SQL Server
- ODBC, JDBC, and the Quest for a Black Box
- Understanding and Using ODBC
- Using Interoperable SQL
- Component Data Access with OLE DB
- Appendix A: ODBC Drivers, Servers, and Vendors
- Appendix B: JDBC Drivers, Servers, and Vendors
- Appendix C: OLE DB Providers and Vendors
- Appendix D: Glossary
- Appendix E: Bibliography
- Appendix F: Getting the Example Programs and Scripts
- Index (17 pages)
You can find Database Magic with Ken North at Web booksellers and book stores that carry Prentice Hall titles.
On the Web, browse amazon.com, fatbrain.com, Borders Books and Music and Softpro Books. Try retail stores, including those with Web sites listed here. In the United States, look for Waldenbooks, Barnes and Noble, Computer Literacy, San Diego Technical Books, Virginia Technical Books, and university bookstores. In the UK, try Waterstone's, Blackwell's, and Dillons The Bookstore. In Germany, try J.F. Lehmann's. In Sweden, try an Akademibokhandeln store. In Australia, try a Dymock's Bookstore.
Or, go to the Prentice Hall site, click on the Book Sellers tab, then select a state or country from one of the international locations. You can also search for "Database Magic with Ken North" using a search engine such as Excite, HotBot, or Alta Vista.
About the Author
Ken North is a consultant, software developer, author, speaker, industry analyst, and company founder. He teaches Expert Series seminars and edits the XML channel for Dr. Dobb's Web site. He is the Conference Chair for XML DevCon 2000. He was Contributing Editor for Internet Computing, and Contributing Editor and columnist for Web Techniques and Dr. Dobb's Sourcebook. He wrote Windows Multi-DBMS Programming (John Wiley & Sons) and contributed to Database Development (Bulldog Books). Ken developed APIBench, the SQL API benchmarking suite and was a technical reviewer for JDBC Database Access with Java (Addison-Wesley). His articles have appeared in Web Techniques, Dr. Dobb's Journal, XML, PC Week, Java Pro, XML-Journal, SQL Server Magazine, Internet Computing, DBMS, Software Development, Byte, Network Computing, Windows NT, Windows NT Systems, Windows Tech Journal and other computer publications. Prior to founding Resource Group, Inc. in 1981, Ken held management and software engineering positions with TRW and Computer Sciences Corporation.
