Once a lesser-known category of software, databases have become a more and more important part of technical communication practice. Today databases often drive documentation collections, including content management systems and wikis. The most sophisticated databases tend to employ the SQL language.
#28660
Envisioning the Whole Digital Person
As a human society, we're quite possibly looking at the largest surge of recorded information that has ever taken place, and at this point, we have only the most rudimentary tools for managing all this information--in part because we cannot predict what standards will be in place in 10, 50, or 100 years.
Follett, Jonathan. UXmatters (2007). Articles>User Centered Design>Information Design>Databases
#28265
eRuby: Using Ruby and MySQL for Dynamic Web Pages
In a previous tutorial you learned how to get started using the Ruby language as a web scripting language by embedding it in HTML. You need some type of database connectivity to do the cool dynamic stuff. So here is a tutorial written by Markus Jais on how to connect to a MySQL database using Ruby. I will be updating and editing this tutorial to include more windows instructions where applicable.
Jais, Markus. Hiveminds (2002). Articles>Web Design>Databases>SQL
#27286
The Essentials of a Database Quality Process 
Many steps are involved in the process of turning an initial concept for a database into a finished product that meets the needs of its user community. In this paper, we describe those steps in the context of a four-phase process with particular emphasis on the quality-related issues that need to be addressed in each phase to ensure that the final product is a high quality database. The basic requirements for a successful database quality process are presented with specific examples drawn from experience gained in the Standard Reference Data Program at the National Institute of Standards and Technology.
Blakeslee, Dorothy M. and John Rumble, Jr. Data Science Journal (2003). Articles>Information Design>Databases>Usability
#28266
Everything You Wanted to Know About SQL Injection
If you are a CMS user or web developer then you should know what SQL injection attacks are and how to protect your web applications against them. Hackers are using more SQL based attacks, getting smarter about how to attack a website and using better tools. You have to get a good understanding of how their attacks work if you are going to choose the right software and keep your website secure. Here I will review several types of SQL injection attacks and how they occur. Then take a look at what web developers and end users can do to prevent them.
McDade, Carl. Hiveminds (2006). Articles>Web Design>Databases>SQL
#22589
Buzz about the value and implications of XML has reached an all-time high, with lofty claims of its potential to transform business and society, doing everything from simple document formatting to curing the common cold. I don't recommend you empty your medicine cabinet just yet. However, do take seriously the developments surrounding XML and its associated technologies. While XML might not merit all the hyperbole, it remains useful. Knowing how to apply this simple meta-language can help you create solutions that will give you a strong competitive advantage.
Trytten, Chris. FileMaker Advisor (2004). Articles>Information Design>Databases>XML
#32065
The (Free) Script That Saved My Website
I recently purchased a music streaming website, powered by MySQL database full of links to the musical content. In order to transfer the website to my hosting I was going to need to import the database. Unfortunately, I host with GoDaddy.com. GoDaddy offers phpMyAdmin to control your databases which is a great program but it limits imports to 2MBs. My database was over 70MB. I tried it anyways with my fingers crossed but as expected, it wasn’t going to work.
Haig, Anders. ReEncoded (2008). Articles>Web Design>Databases
#28522
A step-by-step must read article on SQL 2005 Reporting Services which creates a report and hosts it on an intranet server.
Krishnaswamy, Jayaram. ASPAlliance (2006). Articles>Information Design>Databases>SQL
#27194
Mail merge is for simplifying repetitive documents and tasks. Mail merge can be used for creating many documents at once that contain identical formatting, layout, text, graphics, etc., and where only certain portions of each document varies. Mail merge is also used for generating mailing labels, envelopes, address lists, personalised training handouts, etc. As well as hard copy mailshots, it can be used to generate multiple emails and electronic faxes. And it can even be used to create a 'friendly' front-end to spreadsheet or database information.
Melton, Beth and Dave Rado. Word MVP Site, The (2005). Articles>Word Processing>Databases>Microsoft Word
#30149
How to Develop and Implement a Usable Training Database
The results of a Motorola human resources survey revealed an inadequate procedure for selecting training programs pertinent to specific job functions and individual career aspirations. A cross-functional team was formed to remedy the situation within one division. The team selected skill and knowledge criteria for career paths (early, middle, and late) in specific technical disciplines, such as applications engineering, technical communications, applications support, etc. The new training database also includes training, book, and article evaluations that other employees can review. In addition, the database provides access to the Motorola University training catalog and the Motorola technical libraries.
LeVie, Donald S., Jr. STC Proceedings (1997). Articles>Education>Instructional Design>Databases
#27215
I Have a "Name" Column Which I Want to Split Into "FirstName", "LastName": How Can I Do It?
Word's sorting capability is fairly rudimentary, especially for those migrating to it from WordPerfect (though it's surprising how many people don't realize Word can sort paragraphs, not just tables – or maybe not so surprising, given where the item is in the menus! The ability to sort on word 2 in field 3 would certainly be very useful (in Excel as well). But there are various things you can do in the meantime.
Rado, Dave. Word MVP Site, The (2005). Articles>Word Processing>Databases>Microsoft Word
#24996
An Introduction to Database Normalization
When users ask for advice about their database applications, one of the first things I try to help them with is the normalization of their table structure. Normalization is the process of removing redundant data from your tables in order to improve storage efficiency, data integrity and scalability. This improvement is balanced against an increase in complexity and potential performance losses from the joining of the normalized tables at query-time.
Hillyer, Mike. MySQL (2004). Articles>Information Design>Databases>SQL
#21989
Introduction to Databases for Web Developers
Unlike previous versions of data warehouses (people and books), that might be considered the australopithecines of the database lineage, libraries crossed over into the modern-day species.
#27632
Introduction to Relations in XML Schema
This is the first article in a series concentrating on implementing relations for designing robust XML schema definitions.
Chaterjee, Jagadish. Dev Articles (2006). Articles>Information Design>Databases>XML
#26794
It's likely that few professionals worry more about how their services are perceived than librarians. Lawyers may have more reason for concern, but many of them laugh all the way to the bank. We have little if not our reputation. So the new report published by OCLC, '€œPerceptions of Libraries and Information Resources,' deserves notice. Do libraries still matter? On what level? Will library use likely increase or decrease?--generated heartwarming comments but also much to cause concern.
Tennant, Roy. Library Journal (2006). Careers>Information Design>Databases
#27196
Making Your Mail Merge "Intelligent" by Using IF Fields
Almost any mail merge will work better if you use IF fields, as the frequently used scenarios discussed below attempt to illustrate.
Rado, Dave. Word MVP Site, The (2005). Articles>Word Processing>Databases>Microsoft Word
#25351
Managing Hierarchical Data in MySQL
Most users at one time or another have dealt with hierarchical data in a SQL database and no doubt learned that the management of hierarchical data is not what a relational database is intended for. The tables of a relational database are not hierarchical (like XML), but are simply a flat list. Hierarchical data has a parent-child relationship that is not naturally represented in a relational database table.
Hillyer, Mike. VBMySQL.com (2005). Articles>Information Design>Databases>SQL
#29447
Microsoft Access Queries with Oracle SQL Developer 1.2 Tool 
This article by Jayaram Krishnswamy shows how you can install the Oracle SQL Developer 1.2 and connect to an MS Access database. This article will cover the steps right from downloading and installing the Oracle SQL Developer, to connecting to a MS Access database, and using the SQL interface along with a few sample queries.
Krishnaswamy, Jayaram. Packt (2007). Articles>Information Design>Databases>SQL
#30800
Microsoft SQL Server 2008: Installation Made Easy
The article discusses the precaution thta one can take in installing the Microsoft SQL 2008 Sever (Developer Edition). Links to downloading a sample database with how-to note is also provided. Some of the initial problem solving in cleaning up the .NET miscellanea is discussed in this blog at : http://hodentek.blogspot.com/2008/01/you-were-cleaning-up-net-framework.html
Krishnaswamy, Jayaram. Packt (2008). Articles>Software>Databases>SQL
#28732
Microsoft Word 2007's Mail Merge with a SQL Anywhere 10 Database
SQL Anywhere 10 database and Microsoft Word 2007 are the latest software from the respective companies. This step-by-step tutorial not only shows how you can merge a mail document from customer information in a Sql Anywhere 10 database, it also shows how you may work with the database. If you are a office worker using 'Office' products this is a must article for you.
Krishnaswamy, Jayaram. OfficeUsers.org (2007). (Afrikaans) Articles>Software>Databases>SQL
#31816
Migrating from Microsoft SQL Server and Access to MySQL
In this article I will cover the basics of migrating an application from an Access or SQL Server database to MySQL. We'll start with various reasons why you should (or should not) migrate your existing Access or SQL Server database to MySQL, then cover the planning stages of an application migration. Next we will look at the tools and methods for migrating your actual data from Access/MSSQL to MySQL, followed by some general guidelines for modifying your client application from a Microsoft database to MySQL. Finally, we'll look at some considerations to make when deploying your new MySQL database and application.
Hillyer, Mike. MySQL (2007). Articles>Information Design>Databases>SQL
#29929
Migrating MS Access 2003 Data using the Oracle SQL Developer 1.2
Business needs often necessitate data migration from a smaller, less secure database to a higher end, faster database server with a more reliable availability. A typical scenario is the migration of data from a desktop sized database such as MS Access or Fox Pro to any other higher end database servers such as MS SQL Server, Oracle, DB2 or SQL Anywhere Server. Oracle SQL Developer 1.2 with this latest version is sometimes called the Migration version as it supports migrating data from three vendors (MySQL, SQL Server and MS Access) to an Oracle database. In fact, it has been designed to migrate from more than one version of MS Access. This feature was not available in the version 1.1 of this tool.
Krishnaswamy, Jayaram. Packt (2007). Articles>Information Design>Databases>SQL
#25623
Misconceptions About Integrated Project Databases
The notion of an integrated project database (IPDB) has existed for decades. Over that time many projects have been undertaken to develop the technologies and frameworks required to implement an IPDB. Also over that time, there has been promotion of the benefits and impacts that IPDB systems will have on the industry. As there are still no industrially stable IPDB systems in existence, the industry's perception of what they are and what they can do has diverged from many of the original presentations. It is also clear that researchers and de-velopers involved in IPDB development have many different ideas about what constitutes an IPDB and what is, or is not, possible to create. This paper aims to describe misconceptions which are growing up around IPDB systems, and presents the authors' view of reality (informed by the opinions of the UK network of experts in ob-jects and integration (URL-1 1999) which was run by the DETR).
Amor, Robert and Ihsan Faraj. ITcon (2001). Articles>Information Design>Databases
#28382
MobiLink Synchronization Wizard in SQL Anywhere 10
MobiLink is a technology that can help multiple databases synchronized, a key requirement for mobile access to data. The article shows you how to create a model that can be deployed to access data on a SLQ 2005 Server remotely with a SQL Anyhwhere database. A forth coming article descibes the deployment details.
Krishnaswamy, Jayaram. ASP Free (2006). Articles>Information Design>Databases>SQL
#30825
Moving a Database from SQL Server 2005 to SQL Server 2008 in Three Steps
This tutorial shows how SQL Server 2005 can be migrated to SQL Server 2008 quite easily by manually detaching the database from SQL Server 2005 and attaching it to SQL Server 2008. This is a much easier process than the 'Copy Database Wizard' which has two procedures one of which is the same as the manual process but carried out under the guidance of a wizard and the other which does not require the stopping of the Source server.
Krishnaswamy, Jayaram. Packt (2008). Articles>Information Design>Databases>SQL
#23809
The MySQL Roadmap – What's Planned?
MySQL is old news ...or is it? In this fast-paced expose, Blane looks at where MySQL is now, and what's planned in Versions 4.1 and 5 - including the exciting developments of MySQL Cluster and Stored Procedures!
Warrene, Blane. SitePoint (2004). Articles>Information Design>Databases>Open Source
