Information Modeling and Relational Databases, 2nd Edition

1.4. The Relevant Skills

Since relational database systems are dominant, they are the main focus of our implementation discussion, with some attention also being given to XML. Although conceptual interfaces to databases are still in their infancy, developing models at this higher level is more productive and avoids wasting time acquiring knowledge and skills that will rapidly become obsolete. Consider the impact of the electronic calculator on school mathematics curricula (e.g., removal of the general square root algorithm).

Fundamentally, there are two skills that will always be relevant to interacting with an information system. Both of these skills relate to communicating with the system about our particular application area. Recall that ...