This is the suite of Lynda.com and YouTube videos that I have been suggesting for a few terms to the humanists around who want to learn more about modelling data in a relational database form. The links for lynda.com are set to allow Pitt folks to login--if you're coming to this without a lynda.com login, then sorry...there's still lots of YouTube stuff here!
FIRST SESSION: Data Modeling Basics
Watch the following sections from this: http://www.lynda.com/Programming-tutorials/Foundations-Programming-Datab...
Introduction
1. Understanding Databases
2. Database Fundamentals
3. Database Modeling: Tables
4. Database Modeling: Relationships
And from this: http://www.lynda.com/FileMaker-Pro-10-tutorials/Relational-Database-Desi...
Introduction
1. Reviewing Data Modeling
2. Resolving Many-to-Many Relationship [sic]
Take notes on the things you are learning, of course, paying special attention to the questions you have. If you get very confused KEEP GOING. This is 90 minutes of video. Let the river flow over you. If you don't get confused, DON'T WORRY! You may simply be understanding. This could break either way.
SECOND SESSION: Normalization Basics
Watch these in order.
Good basic overview of normalization and modeling:
o2solutionsdotnet, “Understanding Normalization,” http://youtu.be/4T15hOhE5N4 (2m53s)
Another good overview of identifying patterns:
o2solutionsdotnet, “Discovering Patterns ,”
Example of 1st Normal Form:
mrbcodeacademy, “Normalisation 1NF: First Normal Form Example,” http://youtu.be/x9BuWCUQawY (9m10s).
Example of 2nd Normal Form:
mrbcodeacademy, “Normalisation 2NF: Second Normal Form Example,” http://youtu.be/8PwomfwMMyQ (6m28s)
Example of 3rd Normal Form:
mrbcodeacademy, “Normalisation 3NF: Third Normal Form Example,” http://youtu.be/c7DXeY3aIJw (6m55s)
Mr. B has longer explanations that are just fine as well. Sooo, if you'd like to hear more about each of the normal forms, you can watch those too. They are easch called “Understanding and Applying” the normal forms [as in: "Normalisation 3NF: Understanding Third Normal Form" http://youtu.be/wcp9hqOExqE]
THIRD SESSION: Entity-Relationship Diagram Basics
THIS IS ACTUAL READING. http://www.umsl.edu/~sauterv/analysis/er/er_intro.html.
Oh, OK. And a video: http://youtu.be/-fQ-bRllhXc (please know that "bridge" table is the same as a "join.").
And another video: http://youtu.be/wo-Wyul8CDQ
Practice ER diagrams of your own. Use a pencil and paper. That's best.