Managing Reference Data in Enterprise Databases explores technologies and techniques for managing data that's used to categorize or sort data, with emphasis on keeping it clean, consistent, and current. Reference data, in the lingo of author Malcolm Chisholm, is primarily any data that is used to categorize other data. The U.S. Postal Service abbreviations "PA" for Pennsylvania and "HI" for Hawaii are examples of reference data. Under Chisholm's definition, reference data is generally not data that exists on a remote system, or that another organization maintains. This book has an academic tone and steers clear of implementation issues that exist in particular database management systems (DBMS); it's a platform-independent engineer's handbook, full of structural diagrams, standard SQL queries, and pseudocode.

Using the clear and widely understood IDE1FIX means of graphically representing table relationships, the author shows how reference tables exist alongside other database contents. He presents some of the reference data problems that pop up in real life (in one succinct example, he writes about getting bonds rated "AAA" to come ahead of bonds rated "A," even though "A" comes first in ASCII sorts). His content will make you think about how to redesign your databases to use reference data more reliably, and offer you enough advice to enable you to realize your designs. --David Wall

Topics covered: Efficient database design as it relates to reference data, or data that's used to categorize other pieces of data. Sections deal with establishing table relationships, deciding on special values (such as those for "none" versus "not applicable"), and dealing with multiple languages. There's also information on referring to remotely maintained reference data, such as abbreviations lists maintained by the International Standards Organization (ISO).


Review
"This is an excellent book that brings out for the first time a comprehensive view of the problems and opportunities that are associated with reference data as part of an organisation's information systems...He also provides excellent summaries of the risks and benefits that can accrue when considering establishing an operational reference data management service. He highlights the important aspects of reference data value maintenance involving data ownership and data stewardship" -- Arthur Haynes
Chairman, British Computer Society's Data Management Specialist Group


Review
"This is an excellent book that brings out for the first time a comprehensive view of the problems and opportunities that are associated with reference data as part of an organisation's information systems...He also provides excellent summaries of the risks and benefits that can accrue when considering establishing an operational reference data management service. He highlights the important aspects of reference data value maintenance involving data ownership and data stewardship" -- Arthur Haynes
Chairman, British Computer Society's Data Management Specialist Group


Book Description

Reference data plays a key role in your business databases and must be free from defects of any kind. So why is it so hard to find information on this critical topic? Recognizing the dangers of taking reference data for granted, Managing Reference Data in Enterprise Databases gives you precisely what you've been seeking: A complete guide to the implementation and management of reference data of all kinds.
This book begins with a thorough definition of reference data, then proceeds with a detailed examination of all reference data issues, fully describing uses, common difficulties, and practical solutions. Whether you're a database manager, architect, administrator, programmer, or analyst, be sure to keep this easy-to-use reference close at hand.

* Solves special challenges associated with maintaining reference data.
* Addresses a wide range of reference data issues, including acronyms, redundancy, mapping, life cycles, multiple languages, and querying.
* Describes how reference data interacts with other system components, what problems can arise, and how to mitigate these problems.
* Offers examples of standard reference data types and matrices for evaluating management methods.
* Provides a number of standard reference data tables and more specialized material to help you deal with reference data, via a companion Web site


Book Info
(Academic Press) A complete guide to the implementation and management of reference data of all kinds. Contains a detailed examination of all reference data issues, fully describing uses, common difficulties, and solutions. DLC: Database Management.


From the Back Cover

"This is a great book! I have to admit I wasn't enthusiastic about the idea of a book with such a narrow topic initially, but, frankly, it's the first professional book I've read page to page in one sitting in a long time. It should be of interest to DBAs, data architects and modelers, programmers who have to write database programs, and yes, even managers. This book is a winner."
- Karen Watterson, Editor

SQL Server Professional

"Malcolm Chisholm has produced a very readable book. It is well-written and with excellent examples. It will, I am sure, become the Reference Book on Reference Data."

- Clive Finkelstein, "Father" of Information Engineering,
Managing Director, Information Engineering Services Pty Ltd

Reference data plays a key role in your business databases and must be free from defects of any kind. So why is it so hard to find information on this critical topic? Recognizing the dangers of taking reference data for granted, Managing Reference Data in Enterprise Databases gives you precisely what you've been seeking: A complete guide to the implementation and management of reference data of all kinds.
This book begins with a thorough definition of reference data, then proceeds with a detailed examination of all reference data issues, fully describing uses, common difficulties, and practical solutions. Whether you're a database manager, architect, administrator, programmer, or analyst, be sure to keep this easy-to-use reference close at hand.

Features
Solves special challenges associated with maintaining reference data.
Addresses a wide range of reference data issues, including acronyms, redundancy, mapping, life cycles, multiple languages, and querying.
Describes how reference data interacts with other system components, what problems can arise, and how to mitigate these problems.
Offers examples of standard reference data types and matrices for evaluating management methods.
Provides a number of standard reference data tables and more specialized material to help you deal with reference data, via a companion Web site


About the Author
Malcolm Chisholm holds an M.A. from the University of Oxford, a Ph.D.from the University of Bristol, and has over 20 years of experience in information technology. His expertise has allowed him to work in various industries focusing on systems development and data administration. Recently he has worked with the United Nations Development Program and Deloitte and Touche.

ANNOTATION

Audience: Database programmers.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

Reference data plays a key role in your business databases and must be free from defects of any kind. So why is it so hard to find information on this critical topic? Recognizing the dangers of taking reference data for granted, Managing Reference Data in Enterprise Databases gives you precisely what you've been seeking: A complete guide to the implementation and management of reference data of all kinds.
This book begins with a thorough definition of reference data, then proceeds with a detailed examination of all reference data issues, fully describing uses, common difficulties, and practical solutions. Whether you're a database manager, architect, administrator, programmer, or analyst, be sure to keep this easy-to-use reference close at hand.

Features

Solves special challenges associated with maintaining reference data.
Addresses a wide range of reference data issues, including acronyms, redundancy, mapping, life cycles, multiple languages, and querying.
Describes how reference data interacts with other system components, what problems can arise, and how to mitigate these problems.
Offers examples of standard reference data types and matrices for evaluating management methods.
Provides a number of standard reference data tables and more specialized material to help you deal with reference data, via a companion Web site

SYNOPSIS

Reference data plays a key role in your business databases and must be free from defects of any kind. So why is it so hard to find information on this critical topic? Recognizing the dangers of taking reference data for granted, Managing Reference Data in Enterprise Databases gives you precisely what you've been seeking: A complete guide to the implementation and management of reference data of all kinds.

This book begins with a thorough definition of reference data, then proceeds with a detailed examination of all reference data issues, fully describing uses, common difficulties, and practical solutions. Whether you're a database manager, architect, administrator, programmer, or analyst, be sure to keep this easy-to-use reference close at hand.

Features: Solves special challenges associated with maintaining reference data. Addresses a wide range of reference data issues, including acronyms, redundancy, mapping, life cycles, multiple languages, and querying. Describes how reference data interacts with other system components, what problems can arise, and how to mitigate these problems. Offers examples of standard reference data types and matrices for evaluating management methods. Provides a number of standard reference data tables and more specialized material to help you deal with reference data, via a companion Web site

FROM THE CRITICS

Karen Watterson - Editor SQL Server Professional

This is a great book! I have to admit I wasn't enthusiastic about the idea of a book with such a narrow topic initially, but, frankly, it's the first professional book I've read page to page in one sitting in a long time. It should be of interest to DBAs, data architects and modelers, programmers who have to write database programs, and yes, even managers. This book is a winner.

WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING

Clive Finkelstein, "Father" of Information Engineering, Managing Director, Information Engineering Services Pty LtdMalcolm Chisholm has produced a very readable book. It is well-written and with excellent examples. It will, I am sure, become the Reference Book on Reference Data. — Clive Finkelstein

ACCREDITATION