The Data Model Resource Book, Volume 3: Universal Patterns for Data Modeling

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What Is in This Book 15

potential pitfalls, and to increase the quality of the model by understanding

alternatives and by applying patterns.

Aside from being an invaluable toolkit for systems professionals who focus

on this area, this book can also be used as a text for organizations such as

corporations or universities.

Many people prefer to learn by example so this book is both a tremendous

aid for the experienced practitioner as well as a guide for the novice by

showing many well-thought-out data model patterns and examples using

these patterns.

What Is in This Book

The majority of this book contains chapters with what we believe are the most

common and useful Universal Patterns. Chapters 2–8 contain reusable patterns

and alternatives for data modeling. These chapters include explanations of the

patterns, examples of each of the patterns, sample data, and the pros and cons

of each modeling alternative. Chapter 9 describes how to apply the patterns for

different types of data modeling efforts. Chapter 10 provides ideas for gaining

buy-in regarding using the patterns and/or standardizing on these patterns.

Specifically:

Chapter 2, ‘‘Setting Up Roles: What Parties Do,’’ defines what a declar-

ative role is and then provides data model patterns that can be used to

model what people and organizations do, or in other words, how they

act within the broad con ...