Database Best Practices

[Steve]

I find that there is a great gap between what I know
professionally to be best practices regarding use of a
developed database but the only "best practice"
information I find is related to database development. I
completed the construction of a dB based on
management "directive" and without proper best practice
development. Now I am faced with a lack of management
resulting in extensive data degradation.

I am seeking a "best practices" document that addresses
how databases need to be managed - and this needs to be
very basic because the management here simply doesn't yet
understand that garbage in equals garbage out.

Thanks,
Steve

 

[Brendan Reynolds \(MVP\)]

You're comment about 'garbage in, garbage out' leaves me unsure as to
whether you're referring to database maintenance (e.g. backup and
compacting) or data entry issues?

If the former, see the KB article at the following URL ...

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;303528

 

[Steve]

Brendan:

Data entry is the functional issue and understanding the
purposes of a database is related. I think the reason I
am having problems finding the specific information I am
seeking is because data integrity issues are so very basic
to understanding database purposes that the industry
simply doesn't bother addressing the issues.

The problem I face is that my employer does not believe in
professional database construction and, even when data
entry errors are brought to her attention, she doesn't
seem to know how to respond. So I am looking for a "dB
101" type course material that sets up the basic premises
for database construction and management. Needless to
say, although she refers to me as her database expert, my
employer doesn't bother to listen to me.

 

[Brendan Reynolds \(MVP\)]

'Designing Relational Database Systems', by Rebecca Riordan, from Microsoft
Press. Inexplicably out of print, but you may be able to find a used copy at
one of the on-line bookstores.