• Home
  • Site Aliases
    • www.cloud-native.info
    • oracle.cloud-native.info
    • Phil-Wilkins.uk
  • About
    • Background
    • Presenting Activities
    • Internet Profile
      • LinkedIn
    • About
  • Books & Publications
    • Logging in Action with Fluentd, Kubernetes and More
      • Logging in Action with Fluentd – Book
      • Fluentd Book Resources
      • Log Generator
    • API & API Platform
      • API Useful Resources
    • Oracle Integration
      • Book Website
      • Useful Reading Sources
    • Publication Contributions
  • Resources
    • GitHub
    • Mindmaps Index
    • Oracle Integration Site
    • Useful Tech Resources …
      • Oracle Tech Resources inc Open Source
      • Patterns Sources
      • Useful Tech Resources
      • Python Setup & related stuff
  • Music

Phil (aka MP3Monster)'s Blog

~ from Technology to Music

Phil (aka MP3Monster)'s Blog

Daily Archives: August 2, 2013

Book Review – MySQL Workbench: Data modelling & Development by Michael McLaughlin

02 Friday Aug 2013

Posted by mp3monster in Book Reviews, Books, General, Technology

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

development, modeling, MySQL, Oracle, workbench

MySQL Workbench Data Modeling and Development

MySQL Workbench Data Modeling and Development

Having reviewed several books recently, and currently working on another book – I was offered the chance to look at MySQL Workbench: Data Modelling & Development by Michael McLaughlin which I took up as I was interested to know more about the Workbench tool (despite having worked with MySQL on and off for about 10 years, I’ve only really used command line and SQL editors or Eclipse plugins when working with MySQL).

From a pure readability perspective, this is undoubtedly technically well written. My difficulty with the book comes from the style, and presumed level of intelligence of the reader.  The difficulty comes from several perspectives’ firstly the author can feel a little condescending, to illustrate my point on page 180 the book says ‘Select Schemata step (that’s a fancier word for the fancy word schema) ‘.  Do you really need such a statement? Further the book spends the best part of the first 100 pages on walking through UI based installers for Windows 7, Linux (Debian and Fedora), and Mac OS X.  Although the look and feel of these installers will differ slightly, aside from some of the environmental considerations (configuring your hosts file for example) the installation process is consistent enough (and obvious enough given it is UI wizards) to only need to explain the end to end process for one platform, and then just address the differences for the other platforms, not repeat the entire process.  The only blessing in these first couple of chapters the author has thought to highlight a few common install issues and their resolutions (addressing my classic complaint people only think about the happy path). During the installation, the book makes reference to the use of DNS, but I don’t believe the use of DNS in a production environment is particularly well explained.

Having waded through to chapter 3 we can get started with the modelling aspect of the workbench. The chapter sets out first to explain some modelling concepts – starting with Object Orientation (OO) but doesn’t do a great job of it, starting out making reference to a number principles but then talking about the ‘principle of the one’, given my experience I did understand what the author was trying to express but, for someone experienced it could have been more simply expressed.  after OO, Normalisation is explained, and what defines the different levels of normalisation, but not the mechanics that can be followed to go from the levels of normalisation (something I was taught over 20 years ago).  Given that book talks about modelling,  I had expected the book to at-least touched upon other modelling approaches used for delivering the needs of data warehousing (star schemas etc), but his didn’t even obtain an aside.  Having spent nearly 100 image heavy pages on installation, all of these concepts are introduced in a single very text heavy chapter, which feels like we’ve swung too far the other way.

As the book goes on into development aspects it errs away from addressing SQL at all, and focuses entirely on designing with INNODB table behaviours.  Admittedly INNODB is the common engine (and the default assumed behaviour when thinking about database tables) but isn’t the only table type.  All of which is a shame as if you want to get the most out of MySQL the other table types have their value and benefits.

So, what value does the book bring.  Well for a student learning about databases for the 1st time (hard visualize when you think how pervasive the technology is today – even smart phones carry DBs now) this book along with a good guide on SQL and you’d be well on your way to getting some practical experience with MySQL.  to be honest the book would have setup far better expectations if it had been called MySQL Workbench for Dummies.  For the seasoned engineer who has worked with MySQL, understands database design then you might want to think twice about getting this book; that said I did pickup a few useful titbits – but getting them was hardwork.

Useful Links for the book:

  • Oracle Press URL http://www.mcgraw-hill.co.uk/html/0071791884.html
  • Michael McLaughlin’s blog (author) http://blog.mclaughlinsoftware.com/
  • Book at Amazon co.uk

Share this:

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
  • Print
  • Pocket
  • Email
  • Tumblr
  • Reddit
  • Pinterest
  • WhatsApp
  • Skype

Like this:

Like Loading...

Java EE 7 Development with Netbeans videos

02 Friday Aug 2013

Posted by mp3monster in Books, General, Technology

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

Heffelfinger, JavaEE, netbeans, Packt, video

Java EE Development with NetBeans 7 [Video]

Java EE Development with NetBeans 7 [Video]

Earlier this year I reviewed some videos by David Heffelfinger on Java EE Development with Netbeans 7 .  I’m pleased to say that the videos have now become publicly available on the Packt site – http://www.packtpub.com/java-ee-development-with-netbeans-7/video  The videos come in neat bite sized chunks that allow you review how to do a particular task, with the videos back to back providing a solid joined up view of a range of activities using a common set of examples.  I’d recommend checking them out if you want to know more about either Netbeans or common web development approaches with Java 7.

 

David also has a book out on the subject of Java EE 6 with Netbeans as well http://www.packtpub.com/java-ee-6-development-with-netbeans-7/book   and his author page at packt – http://www.packtpub.com/authors/profiles/david-heffelfinger

 

Share this:

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
  • Print
  • Pocket
  • Email
  • Tumblr
  • Reddit
  • Pinterest
  • WhatsApp
  • Skype

Like this:

Like Loading...

Aliases

  • phil-wilkins.uk
  • cloud-native.info
  • oracle.cloud-native.info

Oracle Ace Director Alumni

TOGAF 9

Logging in Action

Oracle Cloud Integration Book

API Platform Book

Oracle Dev Meetup London

Categories

  • App Ideas
  • Books
    • Book Reviews
    • manning
    • Oracle Press
    • Packt
  • Enterprise architecture
  • General
    • economy
    • LinkedIn
    • Website
  • Music
    • Music Resources
    • Music Reviews
  • Photography
  • Technology
    • APIs & microservices
    • chatbots
    • Cloud
    • Cloud Native
    • Dev Meetup
    • development
    • drone
    • Fluentd
    • logsimulator
    • mindmap
    • OMESA
    • Oracle
      • API Platform CS
        • tools
      • Helidon
      • ITSO & OEAF
      • Java Cloud
      • NodeJS Cloud
      • OIC – ICS
      • Oracle Cloud Native
      • OUG
    • TOGAF
  • xxRetired

Twitter

  • .@Oracle's VP of financial services shares his thoughts with @nicholasgfearn about adopting a multi-cloud strategy.… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…Next Tweet: 5 hours ago
  • Discover how @OracleCloud Infrastructure is helping customers successfully deliver 24/7 operations using geographic… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…Next Tweet: 6 hours ago
  • Will you be at #KubeCon + #CloudNativeCon? Be sure to swing by @Oracle's booth to learn about career opportunities… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…Next Tweet: 23 hours ago
  • Easily move existing #OpenSearch workloads to reduce costs and administrative overhead with @OracleCloud Infrastruc… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…Next Tweet: 1 day ago
  • If you are looking for a high-level view of comparable services from the cloud providers, check this page:… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…Next Tweet: 1 day ago
Follow @mp3monster

OraWorld

OraWorld

Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Join 607 other followers

Blogs I Follow

  • Site Title
  • All about modern software technologies & architectures
  • Rick's blog
  • A journey in development
  • Phil (aka MP3Monster)'s Blog
  • RedThunder.Blog
  • A millennial's musings
  • Shalindra's Blogs
  • BTplusMore
  • Creativenauts
  • PaaS Community Blog
  • RedStack
  • Musings of an Enterprise Software Technologist
  • The Open Group Blog
  • SutoCom Solutions
  • Rob's Wall Of Music
  • DataCentricSec.com
  • A World of Events

My Other Web Content & Contributions

  • All My Links
  • Amazon Author entry
  • API Platform
  • Dev Meetup (co-managed)
  • Fluentd Book
  • GitHub
  • http://phil-wilkins.uk/
  • ICS Book Website
  • Mindmaps
  • Monster's Photos
  • my Capgemini Profile
  • OMESA
  • Oracle Community Directory
  • Packt Author Bio
  • Phil on Blogs.Oracle.com

RSS

RSS Feed RSS - Posts

RSS Feed RSS - Comments

Calendar

August 2013
M T W T F S S
 1234
567891011
12131415161718
19202122232425
262728293031  
« Jul   Sep »

Other Pages

  • About
    • Internet Profile
    • Presenting Activities
  • Books & Publications
    • API & API Platform
      • API Useful Resources
      • Useful Reading Sources
    • Logging in Action with Fluentd, Kubernetes and More
    • Oracle Integration
  • Mindmaps Index
    • Patterns Sources
  • Useful Tech Resources
    • Oracle Tech Resources inc Open Source
    • Python Setup & related tips

Speaker Recognition

Open Source Summit Speaker

Flickr Pics

Sound InstallationSound InstallationSound InstallationSound Installation
More Photos

History

Goodreads

OraNA

Aggregated by OraNA

Blogroll

  • A Journey in Development
  • A Neate Blog
  • Amy Simpson Grange blog
  • Blog by Robert van Mölken (co-author on ICS book)
  • Developer Community
  • Exigency In Specie
  • Flexagon (FlexDepoy)
  • GitHub
  • http://phil-wilkins.uk/
  • Ora World
  • PaaS Community
  • SOA4U

Calendar

August 2013
M T W T F S S
 1234
567891011
12131415161718
19202122232425
262728293031  
« Jul   Sep »

Categories

  • App Ideas
  • Books
    • Book Reviews
    • manning
    • Oracle Press
    • Packt
  • Enterprise architecture
  • General
    • economy
    • LinkedIn
    • Website
  • Music
    • Music Resources
    • Music Reviews
  • Photography
  • Technology
    • APIs & microservices
    • chatbots
    • Cloud
    • Cloud Native
    • Dev Meetup
    • development
    • drone
    • Fluentd
    • logsimulator
    • mindmap
    • OMESA
    • Oracle
      • API Platform CS
        • tools
      • Helidon
      • ITSO & OEAF
      • Java Cloud
      • NodeJS Cloud
      • OIC – ICS
      • Oracle Cloud Native
      • OUG
    • TOGAF
  • xxRetired

Twitter

  • .@Oracle's VP of financial services shares his thoughts with @nicholasgfearn about adopting a multi-cloud strategy.… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…Next Tweet: 5 hours ago
  • Discover how @OracleCloud Infrastructure is helping customers successfully deliver 24/7 operations using geographic… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…Next Tweet: 6 hours ago
  • Will you be at #KubeCon + #CloudNativeCon? Be sure to swing by @Oracle's booth to learn about career opportunities… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…Next Tweet: 23 hours ago
  • Easily move existing #OpenSearch workloads to reduce costs and administrative overhead with @OracleCloud Infrastruc… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…Next Tweet: 1 day ago
  • If you are looking for a high-level view of comparable services from the cloud providers, check this page:… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…Next Tweet: 1 day ago
Follow @mp3monster

Flickr Pics

Sound InstallationSound InstallationSound InstallationSound Installation
More Photos

My Other Web Content & Contributions

  • All My Links
  • Amazon Author entry
  • API Platform
  • Dev Meetup (co-managed)
  • Fluentd Book
  • GitHub
  • http://phil-wilkins.uk/
  • ICS Book Website
  • Mindmaps
  • Monster's Photos
  • my Capgemini Profile
  • OMESA
  • Oracle Community Directory
  • Packt Author Bio
  • Phil on Blogs.Oracle.com

Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Join 607 other followers

History

Other Pages

  • About
    • Internet Profile
    • Presenting Activities
  • Books & Publications
    • API & API Platform
      • API Useful Resources
      • Useful Reading Sources
    • Logging in Action with Fluentd, Kubernetes and More
    • Oracle Integration
  • Mindmaps Index
    • Patterns Sources
  • Useful Tech Resources
    • Oracle Tech Resources inc Open Source
    • Python Setup & related tips

RSS

RSS Feed RSS - Posts

RSS Feed RSS - Comments

Social

  • View @mp3monster’s profile on Twitter
  • View philwilkins’s profile on LinkedIn
  • View mp3monster’s profile on GitHub
  • View mp3monster’s profile on Flickr
  • View philmp3monster’s profile on Twitch
Follow Phil (aka MP3Monster)'s Blog on WordPress.com

Blog at WordPress.com.

Site Title

All about modern software technologies & architectures

Cloud-native, technology and software architecture

Rick's blog

End-to-End OIC to SAP integration

A journey in development

A blog-post by blog-post journey of a ERP Cloud Solutions Degree Apprentice

Phil (aka MP3Monster)'s Blog

from Technology to Music

RedThunder.Blog

Demystifying cloud technologies...

A millennial's musings

Shalindra's Blogs

Technofunctional Blogs

BTplusMore

Business, Technology and more

Creativenauts

Personal, design, inspiration, interests.

PaaS Community Blog

by Jürgen Kress

RedStack

Oracle Database and Cloud Stuff

Musings of an Enterprise Software Technologist

My thoughts on Enterprise Software Technologies...and more.

The Open Group Blog

Achieving business objectives through technology standards

SutoCom Solutions

Success & Satisfaction with the Cloud

Rob's Wall Of Music

Thoughts of a lifelong music hoarder...

DataCentricSec.com

A World of Events

A Blog for Event and Data Analytics

  • Follow Following
    • Phil (aka MP3Monster)'s Blog
    • Join 607 other followers
    • Already have a WordPress.com account? Log in now.
    • Phil (aka MP3Monster)'s Blog
    • Customize
    • Follow Following
    • Sign up
    • Log in
    • Report this content
    • View site in Reader
    • Manage subscriptions
    • Collapse this bar
 

Loading Comments...
 

You must be logged in to post a comment.

    loading Cancel
    Post was not sent - check your email addresses!
    Email check failed, please try again
    Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email.
    Privacy & Cookies: This site uses cookies. By continuing to use this website, you agree to their use.
    To find out more, including how to control cookies, see here: Our Cookie Policy
    %d bloggers like this: