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GE: The future in data modeling is Object Role Modeling (ORM). It is a far superior way to approach data modeling (compared to any record-based methods such as relational) that avoids all the pitfalls of "Table Think" and the necessity of normalization.

Big data or any other kind of data--you still need to know your data and what it represents. That is the myth in big data--that you don't need a schema, i.e., knowledge of what the data means. True you may not need a SQL schema in Oracle, but you do need to know your data. You need to have names for things (that is the vocabulary) and their relationships.

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1. Quote of the Week

I was wondering what people were using and what people would recommend as a good data modelling application? I guess I want to do two things - one reverse engineer existing databases into an ER diagram, as well as start from scratch and design a new conceptual/logical/physical data model. Any suggestions?
--LinkedIn.com

2. To Laugh or Cry?

Just Give Me the Factless Facts, Ma'am

3. Online

42% of Database Specialists Struggle to Manage NoSQL Solutions

4. Elsewhere

Test shows big data text analysis inconsistent, inaccurate

5. And now for something completely different

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See series starting at

The First Normal Form in Theory and Practice Part I

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1. Quote of the Week

I like a GUID as a primary key on every table so that I can uniquely identify that row. For consistency I'll call it "UID" and defined as a NewSequentialID. I'm aware of the various discussions that have been had regarding Guids vs sequences vs COMB etc., etc., but for me any performance issues have occurred in the size of databases I've worked with. The ability to create a new UID as part of an insert is of huge benefit to reduce round trips if you're handling that kind of thing from within a business layer outside of the database server. --LinkedIn.com

2. To Laugh or Cry?

Data Principles

3. Online debunkings

Comments on Relational Fidelity & Analytics Integrity
Comments on Data Model: Neither Conceptual, Nor Logical, Nor Physical Model

4. Elsewhere

Thou shalt not commit logical fallacies

5. And now for something completely different

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1. Quote of the Week

The future in data modeling is Object Role Modeling (ORM). It is a far superior way to approach data modeling (compared to any record-based methods such as relational) that avoids all the pitfalls of "Table Think" and the necessity of normalization. --LinkedIn.com

2. To Laugh or Cry?

Types of database management system and their evolution

3. Online debunkings

• Comments on Relational Fidelity & Analytics Integrity
• Comments on June post @All Analytics

4. Elsewhere

Big Data is Dead!

5. And now for something completely different

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"To Laugh or Cry?" Test Your Foundation Knowledge

Tuesday, January 20, 2015 6:30 PM

Microsoft
1065 La Avenida
Building 1
Mountain View, CA  (map)

RSVP here
 


You are a DBMS ace, able to squeeze every ounce of performance out of it. But how about your foundation knowledge, how good a grasp of data fundamentals do you possess? Are you a data management ace too?

The two are distinct and while the former is necessary for a career, it is insufficient for an informed, intelligent, reliable and productive data management practice. The industry is full of myths, misconceptions and traps and without foundation knowledge you are unable to see through them.

This is your opportunity to test yourself. If your instinct is neither to laugh, nor to cry at the contents of this presentation, education may be in order.

• How misconceptions that you are unaware of, lead you astray;
• Practical implications thereof;
• How foundation knowledge, scarce in the industry, is the only way to see through them.

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My January post @All Analytics 

To ensure operations on database tables or extracts thereof make sense and result interpretation is correct, the analyst must know what the tables mean. The meaning is not in the tables, but in the business rules it is associated with it, which may be undocumented.

Read it all. (Please comment there, not here)