Geography Reference
In-Depth Information
8. What does “database normalization” refer to?
Normalization is the process of systematizing all relations among database
elements and tables for consistent storage and efficient access of data. This
reduces data redundancy and improves software and hardware operation.
9. What is an entity-relationship diagram?
A figure to show the conceptual model of a database including all entities
and relationships.
10. How are cartographic symbols stored in databases?
Each software package uses its own specific solution, but generally a table
of graphic symbols in the software is associated with graphic commands to
draw the symbols and related to individual values in a database.
Chapter Readings
Martin, J. (1983).
Managing the Data-Base Environment
. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice
Hall.
Rigaux, P., & M. Scholl, et al. (2002).
Introduction to Spatial Databases: Applications to
GIS
. San Francisco: Morgan Kaufmann.
Shekhar, S., & S. Chawla. (2003).
Spatial Databases: A Tour
. Upper Saddle River, NJ:
Pearson.
Web Resources
Note: You can find thousands of excellent descriptions of databases on the web. They
range from those that are very technically advanced to those that are very simplistic.
A search on the words “database introduction” should give you a list of many from
which you can quickly choose the introduction best-suited to your needs.
Shashi Shekhar maintains a website with a few chapters online from his topic intro-
ducing spatial databases (highly recommended, especially for people with some pro-
gramming or IT experience). See
www.cs.umn.edu/research/shashi-group/Book/
A short introduction well suited to people with only a little computer experience is
available at
www.awtrey.com/tutorials/dbeweb/database.php
For an introduction to SQL, try the interactive tutorial at
http://sqlzoo.net/
Search WWH ::
Custom Search