CLSC 555 IS Webliography by Michele Gernhardt

CLSC 555 INFORMATION SYSTEMS WEBLIOGRAPHY:
Database Management Systems
by
Michele Gernhardt

Understanding Database Management Systems : Definitions and general background information regarding database management systems.
- DBMS Definition and Much More , by Answers.com
  This Web site provides a detailed outline of Database Management Systems, much like what one would expect to find in an encyclopedia. However, the site pulls material from several internet sources, so it could be considered a meta-encyclopedia. The Web site is oriented towards newer researches, students and the general public. It is a good starting point as it provides excellent definitions and descriptions of basic database management system concepts and terminology. There are links to several other resources and related topics. The only weaknesses would be the relatively small print and the lack of in-depth analysis of any one topic. However, that is not the purpose of this Web site.
- Information Systems & Technology DBMS Syllabus , by Tony Valsamidis
  This Web site is actually the syllabus for a Database Management Systems course offered by the City University of London, School of Informatics. This site is oriented towards college students. Each syllabus topic on the main page has a link to a very informative outline. This would be an excellent study aid or research starting point for a student searching for additional core concept information.
- DBMS Textbook and Materials , by Raghu Ramakrishnan and Johannes Gehrke
  At first glance, this Web site appears to be nothing more than an advertisement for a textbook. However, there is a wealth of free information and resources available through the links on the main Web page. The site is geared towards Information Systems educators. In fact, some of the resources can only be accessed by instructors. Despite this limitation, there is still an abundant amount of material with unrestricted access; so much that it can be a little overwhelming. The Web site has links to free exercises and lecture slides in several languages as well as material for the major commercial database management systems.
- Database Management Systems , by Philip Greenspun
  This Web site is oriented towards businesses that conduct any transactions over the Web. It is part of a larger on-line guide to web publishing. It outlines the properties a database management system must possess to properly process on-line transactions. It also provides very useful guidance on choosing a database management system as well as choosing a vendor. The content flows very well and is easy to read. However, some of the more detailed descriptions are rather complex and may be confusing to a beginner.
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Database Orientations : Background information regarding database orientations and orientation-specific database management systems.
- Object-Oriented Databases
  - Object-Oriented Database Management Systems Revisited , by Gregory McFarland, et al
    This Web page is a .pdf version of a 144-page paper devoted entirely to Object-Oriented Database Management Systems (OODBMS). The paper outlines and describes the issues relevant to OODBMS technology and evaluates commercial OODBMS, focusing on aiding the reader in choosing the right vendor for their database management needs. The paper is oriented towards information systems professionals but also the public as the authors provide a significant amount of explanation and background information.
  - Why Aren't You Using an Object-Oriented DBMS? by Dare Obasanjo
    This Web page is devoted to a paper that evaluates OODBMS in general as compared to relational database management systems (RDBMS). It provides an overview of OODBMS and explores the advantages and disadvantages of adopting an OODBMS versus a RDBMS. The paper is oriented towards information system professionals. However, the paper provides sufficient explanation and background information to be understood by readers from the general public. The text of the paper contains several links to separate Web pages providing more detailed definitions and explanations of many of the more unfamiliar terms utilized in the paper. It also contains links to several proprietary and open source OODBMS vendors/providers.
- Relational Databases
  - Relational Database Management Systems , by Christopher B. Browne
    This Web page provides information about RDBMS primarily related to Linux. A significant portion of the material is devoted to SQL databases, exploring how they work and their advantages and disadvantages. The most useful aspects of this Web page are the references to other reading materials on the topic of RDBMS and database management in general. This Web page is oriented towards information systems students and novices.
  - Parallelism in Relational Database Management Systems , by C. Mohan, et al
    This paper provides an in-depth analysis of the use of parallelism in relational database management systems. It addresses common issues and solutions and provides recommendations and advice on paralleling queries. This is a very technical piece oriented towards information systems and information technology professionals. Despite this fact, it is very well written and easy to follow. The paper is full of information. Unfortunately, it is spread out over fourteen separate Web pages, which could prove tedious for someone "flipping through" for something they remember reading or for someone trying to find specific text in the paper.
  - Java RDBMS, Why Make the Change? by Naresh Ahuja
    This article promotes the use of a Java RDBMS and outlines the advantages of doing so despite Java's ability to integrate with any database. It is oriented towards database management system users and the argument is rather convincing. However, considering the source of the article, one must be aware of a potential bias in favor of Java products.
- XML
  - XML and Databases , by Dare Obasanjo
    This paper provides background information regarding the development and current application of XML databases. The author also describes and provides examples of the query structure of XML databases. This Web page is oriented towards information system professionals. It is rather technical but well-written.
  - Data Management for XML , by Jennifer Widom
    This paper is oriented towards researchers. It explores the usefulness of XML databases as a research tool, primarily focusing on the Lore project at Stanford University. The analysis portion of the paper is informative but the author draws few conclusions.
  - From Data Management to Information Integration , by Mary Roth and Dave Wilson, IBM
    This paper proposes the use of an integrated XML-federated database management system hybrid as the solution to the information needs of the present and future. The authors lay an excellent foundation by providing background information regarding the evolution of database management system architecture. The reader is then presented a scenario considered by the authors to be common in the industry and finally walked through the scenario to a solution by way of the proposed integrated database management system. The proposal is very well organized but lacks any examples of actual application of the proposed database management system.
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The DBMS Marketplace : More advanced in-depth material regarding database management systems.
- The Real Truth Behind Database Management Systems , by Veronica Fredriksen
  The article posted on this Web page reports on the relational database management system marketplace development highlights in 2004-2005. The top vendors are listed and discussed briefly. This Web page is oriented towards people in or interested in the information systems field, including vendors, users, and investors. The article/press release contains some typographical errors but provides useful information concerning the database management system marketplace.
- IT Trends 2003: Database Management Systems , by Noel Yuhanna
  This Web page consists of a brief report on the activities in the DBMS marketplace during a period of "economic downturn." The author identifies and describes DBMS industry trends and the forces behind these trends. Published in 2003, it is a useful reference for any individuals interested in the information systems industry. It is well-organized in outline form.
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