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Pascal's Links for Developing Database Backed Applications

Application Design

Creating an application is all about knowing what you want to do. I've written a short essay on how I go about it. Your method will be your own. The bottom line is, don't spend too much time on it, but not too little either. Keep It Simple, Stupid! Large companies may do case studies, design rounds, board meetings and launch people on missions to the Moon. That is too much for almost anything you're likely to do soon.

Database Design

A very good place to start is SQL for Web Nerds. Somewhat of a misnomer, because it is a rather general, easy to read database design and use guide for newbies. For starters, I would recommend reading the Introduction, Data Modeling and Normalization. The rest of the book is very good too, but you'll need those bits later, not just now.

Dead trees

The Practical SQL Handbook Is one of the best I've come across. For starters, start at the beginning, and read all the pages till the end. If you're in a hurry designing your application, just chapters 1, 2, 10 are really important. Chapter 11, the bit about Avoiding Mistakes will help you feel good about yourself. If you do not yet own a book on database design, go buy this one.