Beyond Code

Database Design

Pal's Linux RDBMS Library

A commented collection of valuable links to resources addressing database design issues, not just for Linux (despite the name).

Database Best Weblinks

A comprehensive link collection on TechTarget.

Database Normalization And Design Techniques (Barry Wise)

A very easy, but handwaving introduction to the five normal forms.

A Simple Guide to Five Normal Forms in Relational Database Theory (William Kent)

A very thorough, but approachable discussion of the five normal forms.

Mapping Objects To Relational Databases (Scott W. Ambler)

Includes a very careful discussion how to map inheritance hierarchies to relational databases and the use of universally unique identifiers (UUIDs) as primary keys. Well worth reading, whether one agrees with Ambler's points, or not.

The Design of a Robust Persistence Layer for Relational Databases (Scott W. Ambler)

The sister publication to the previous link.

The Case for the Surrogate Key (Mike Lonigro)

Normalization is no Panacea (C.J. Date)

A rather deep discussion of difficulties encountered when normalizing a schema containing interrelated many-to-many relationships.

Database Debunkings

The homepage of Fabian Pascal (with contributions by C.J. Date)