Re: Database Design & Application Server Design

On Wednesday 05 November 2003 19:42, Lane Beneke wrote:
>
> Designing an application server for a work order processing (et al)
> database.  I have a good handle on sequences, referencial integrity, views,
> & the basics.  What books/documentation would you recommend to learn more
> about...
>
>  - database design for security

There are plenty of resources on designing securely and the principles are the
same for databases as anything else:
 - decide what operations to permit and allow only that
 - only allow validated input into your application/database
   check for valid values, not invalid ones
 - try to build multiple lines of security
 - be realistic about the threats you face - a power failure can be as
catastrophic as a hacker break-in.

>  - database design for performance
>  - database design for ease of maintenance

Any book by Date - try "Introduction to Database Systems". A good clean
normalised design pays dividends - don't denormalise without good arguments
why, and document the problems this will cause.

>  - triggers and functions

Check http://techdocs.postgresql.org/ - there are lots of articles/examples
there, especially in the cookbook.

> Also, the application will require some complex forms, and printing
> graphical reports (currently served from an Access 2000 database.)  What
> tools/interfaces/servers would you recommend for the application server?

I'd leave the reporting etc in Access for phase 1 if you can, and move it over
afterwards. If your users are on Windows, I'd probably not change at all. If
they're happy with the current reporting leave well alone.

Assuming you're going web-based, you might want to consider java, perl, php or
python frameworks. Look around and see if there isn't a Zope or perl/php app
that is close to what you need, perhaps.

> Is there a tool you would recommend for generating graphical reports to
> html?

Plenty of perl/php libraries for this. Presumably for python too.
--
  Richard Huxton
  Archonet Ltd