
If you work in the design industry, you need to know database design so you can create applications and develop new programs. If you aren’t entirely confident in your abilities or want to improve them, you can find a lot of information about database design in books. Here are some of the best database books that will help you get better at what you love doing for a living.
Frequently Asked Questions about Database Design
These are some of the most commonly asked questions about database design and our answers to them.
Why Do I Need To Know Database Design?
If you work in a science field, you may want to know database design so you can create models and detailed data about certain things. It’s also a great way to organize data to help present your ideas better.
What Are The Benefits of Database Design?
There are many benefits to understanding database design. Many people use it for their websites and reasons while others use their skills to boost their careers. If you already have a strong understanding of website design, and coding, adding database design to your resume will open up even more opportunities for you.
Is Database Design Difficult To Understand?
Some people find database design a little intimidating, but once you have some basic knowledge of the concepts of database design, it’ not complicated or confusing. It’s a good idea to spend some time researching these concepts before you start working or dabbling in database design.
How We Chose Our List
We know that our readers want accurate and trustworthy information about the products they buy. We take our time and conduct a lot of research about the products we recommend. When creating our list of the best database books, we considered the reviews of other readers, content, and online availability. Some other things we took into consideration include,
- Author
- Price
- Number of Pages
- Format
Average Price of Database Books
Database books can vary in price. Larger books or books that cover more areas are more likely to be expensive than smaller books that only cover specific concepts. On average you can expect to pay anywhere from $6 to $200 for a database book.
Top 9 Database Books On the Market
These are our top nine picks for the best database books available. You may decide to purchase one of them or several of them to learn more about database design.
Beginning Database Design Solutions
[amazon box=”0470385499″]
www.amazon.com
This book is a must for anyone new to database design and ready to learn the basics. In addition to showing you the basics, it also tells you about some of the most common mistakes that beginners make, and how to avoid them. It covers many different database design concepts and it something you will find yourself referencing it often whether you are just getting started or need a little refresher.
SQL Antipatterns

www.amazon.com
This book is excellent for anyone that wants to master SQL. If you’re going to learn about rounding errors, phantom files, and magic beans, this is the book for you. It has a lot of information you might not find in other publications, and the information has been reviewed by some of the experts in the industry. You won’t regret having this book in your library.
Data Modeling

www.amazon.com
This book is great for database information because everything is divided into clear sections, and the information is presented correctly. You won’t find this book skipping around or assuming you know things you haven’t learned yet.
You can learn everything in order, and you won’t be overwhelmed by all the issue that’s presented to you. It’s a great book for beginners, but it’s also a good book to have on hand if you are more experienced with databases.
Database Design for Mere Mortals

This book comes in several editions, and each one is packed with information about databases. You can learn the basics or skip over the more advanced concepts. It has many tips and tricks and tells you what common mistakes to avoid.
It’s easy to skip to the parts you need to learn more about, and you can use it to look up the answers to difficult questions. You will want to have a copy of each edition on hand if you do a lot of work with databases.
Six-Step Relational Database Design

This book teaches you about database design in six easy steps. You just read through the chapters and move through them at your own pace. This book doesn’t just touch on the basics; it fully explains the fundamentals of database design, so you have a firm understanding of each step from the beginning.
It’s well-organized, so if you need to go back and find an answer to a question, you can do so easily. It’s also an enjoyable read so if you aren’t sure if database design is for you, but want to learn more about it; this is the book to read.
Beginning Database Design

If you are looking for a book on database design that gets straight to the point and doesn’t cover a lot of uncommon or unlikely areas, try this one. It’s very focused, and it’s great for beginners or professionals in the industry.
It makes it easy to understand basic concepts, and the information is worded in a way that you won’t have to read it a lot before you understand it. Even skimming through is acceptable for some sections. This is a good book if you are a beginner and want to start with the basics.
Database Processing

This is a favorite among database designers, and as soon as you pop it open and start reading, you will see why. It’s a thick book, and it can be a little intimidating when you look at it. Don’t let the size scare you away and instead, embrace all the information packed inside.
Everything you need to know about database design is in this book, and it’s easy to find specific things. It covered everything from stimulation to modeling and more. There are also new editions released regularly to stay on top of industry trends.
Database Design for Mere Mortals Second Edition

This is the second edition of this book, and it’s full of useful information. It has a lot of the same information as the original, but everything has been updated. There’s plenty of new stuff inside to warrant buying it if you already have the first edition. It covers just about everything you need to know about database design, and it’s a favorite among professionals and newbies alike.
Database Design and Relational Theory

www.amazon.com
This book goes above and beyond the basics and really takes a lot at various theorems and concepts. That doesn’t mean it’s not a great option for beginners; it just means it’s also perfect for professional and advanced database designers.
It’s easy to understand and the kind of book you will often reference and always want to have on hand when you are working on database design. It’s considered one of the best books on database design by many people in the industry.
Comparison Chart
This comparison chart shows how our picks for the best database books compare to each other. It may help make your selection process easier.
Beginning Database Design Solutions
- Author: Rod Stephen
- Price: $$
- Number of Pages: 550
- Format: Paperback
SQL Antipatterns
- Author: Bill Karwin
- Price: $$
- Number of Pages: 300
- Format: Paperback
Data Modeling
- Author: Barry Williams
- Price: $$
- Number of Pages: 350
- Format: Kindle
Database Design for Mere Mortals
- Author: Michael J. Hernandez
- Price: $$
- Number of Pages: 500
- Format: Paperback
Six-Step Relational Database Design
- Author: Fidel A Captain
- Price: $24
- Number of Pages: 300
- Format: Paperback
Beginning Database Design
- Author: Clare Churcher
- Price: $32
- Number of Pages: 250
- Format: Kindle and Paperback
Database Processing
- Author: David Kroenke and David J. Auer
- Price: $$$
- Number of Pages: 700
- Format: Paperback
Database Design for Mere Mortals Second Edition
- Author: Michael J. Hernandez
- Price: $$
- Number of Pages: 400
- Format: Paperback
Database Design and Relational Theory
- Author: C. J. Date from O’Reilly Media
- Price: $$
- Number of Pages: 300
- Format: Paperback
Verdict

If you are involved with web design or software and application development, it’s important to have a good understanding of database design. There are many books on the market that can help you learn more about these concepts and how to use them properly.
These are some of the best database books available. You may find what you need in one of them, or you may decide to purchase more than one to gain even more knowledge. Database design is a technical industry and it’s impossible to be successful as a designer if you don’t know the basic fundamentals of how it works. These books can help you master the basics and more.
Featured Image via Pexels
Leave a Reply