The Data Warrior

Changing the world, one data model at a time. How can I help you?

Archive for the category “Data Modeling”

11 Nov 2015
4 Comments

Better Data Modeling: What is #DataVault 2.0 and Why do I care?

Have you heard?

Dan Linstedt has just had his new book published on Data Vault 2.0. It is called Building a Scalable Data Warehouse with Data Vault 2.0. If you are at all into data warehousing and agile design, you need to get this book now. So click here and be done.

For those of you not sure what this DV 2.0 stuff is all about and why you might want to learn about it, I recently did a series of guest posts for Vertabelo to introduce folks to the concepts. In the series I walk you through some of the history of Data Vault and why we need a new way to do data warehousing. Then I get into the basics of modeling the Data Vault, the Business Vault, and finally building Information Marts from a Data Vault.

So you can find the posts here:

– Data Vault 2.0 Modeling Basics

– The Business Data Vault

– Building an Information Mart with Your Data Vault

Once you have read these, I am sure you will want to go buy the new Data Vault 2.0 book and maybe sign up for some online training on DataVaultAlliance.com.

Model on!

Kent

The Data Warrior

P.S. If you want to catch up, you can still purchase the original Data Vault (1.0) modeling book Super Charge Your Data Warehouse. It is a great reference book to have on hand (you can get it on Kindle too). Might as well have the whole set.

P.P.S. I turned this series into a Kindle ebook for easier reference, you can find it on my Author Profile or just click on the book cover in the right side bar above.

Posted in Data Modeling, Data Vault, Data Warehouse and tagged , , , , , , , ,
19 Oct 2015
1 Comment

SALE: Oracle SQL Developer Data Modeler Jump Start

So in honor of the upcoming #OOW15 and User Group Sunday Symposiums, I decided to put my video workshop for #SQLDevModeler on Sale!

Why use #SQLDevModeler?

If you were an Oracle Designer user and are looking for a replacement data modeling tool, or you are using one of the other mainstream, expensive modeling tools and want a more cost effective alternative, then you owe it to yourself to look at Oracle SQL Developer Data Modeler (SDDM). Data Modeler has been around for years now and is up to version 4.1. It really is an industrial strength data modeling tool that can be used for any data modeling task you need to tackle. (And it works with MS SQL Server and DB2, not just Oracle.)

#SQLDevModeler is a fully functional tool provided for FREE by Oracle. It has many features built in that can be leveraged to capture the design of an existing (probably undocumented) database and re-engineer it or you can use it to design a new database, even a data warehouse from scratch. There are features to apply standards, and then generate DDL to implement your newly standardized design. You can even use one logical model to develop multiple physical models that can be deployed to different RDBMS. You also have options on the type of notation used in the diagrams (i.e., Barker, IE, etc.).

Workshop? What Workshop?

I’m so glad you asked! 😉

Since there was no one around teaching classes on SDDM, I figured I should build one that would be easily accessible and show you exactly how to use the tool for the most common data modeling tasks.

This workshop will start from a totally blank page and walk you through all the major features and options of the tool to show you how to design build and deploy a database. I provide lots of examples and tips on how to do all this so that you can quickly be productive.

In this workshop, I introduce you to the tool and show you how to use some of the cool features I use almost daily. I provide step-by-step instructions on how to use these features.

In this 4+ hour long workshop you will see:

  • How to create new objects from a blank page
  • How to build a logical ERD (with sub-types!)
  • How to reverse engineer and document existing databases
  • How to reverse engineer logical models from physical
  • How to use the visual view builder
  • How to use the interactive view testing tool
  • How to reconcile a model to the database or the database to a model
  • How to generate DDL for multiple RDBMSs (Not Just Oracle!)
  • How to generate a script to change an existing database

Tips, tricks and features I will demonstrate:

  • Modifying the delivered reporting templates
  • How (and when) to use the abbreviations utility
  • How to use and apply domains
  • How to create and applying object naming templates
  • How to add audit columns to every table
  • How to add custom design rules for model quality checks
  • How to use the built in quality checks
  • How to use the newest find and extract feature to enable updating table and column comments by end users
  • How to generate a simple data dictionary

As an added bonus, in addition to step by step slides, I also give you a live demonstration of important aspects of the tool.

By the end of the workshop you will be able to effectively use Oracle SQL Developer Data Modeler for all your data modeling tasks.

So how about a sample?

The platform that we used to deliver the video is pretty darn good, but I figured you might want to see what the content looks like so here are two modules taken right out of the class. The first one talks about using sub views in SDDM, and the 2nd one talks about creating Entities.

Enjoy!

 Subviews

Entities

Sale Coupon!

So ready to sign up?

Great. Go here to get right in!

Normally the price is $1299  (which is MUCH less than you would have to pay me to come to your office and teach you myself), but for a limited time, I am giving a big discount so that even more folks can afford it.

Use coupon code KentSDDM to get $300 off the regular price.

I am sure you will find this a very useful workshop with examples you can use (yes there are a few downloads when you finish the class). The examples alone will save you a bunch of time and money.

But don’t take my word for it:

So sign up today, start watching, then you can ask me questions at #OOW15!

Cheers.

Kent

The Data Warrior

P.S. The sale will not last long, so be sure to jump in now to save $300 while you can. Go on, sign up here (you know you should).

Posted in Data Modeling, Oracle, SQL Developer Data Modeler and tagged , , , , , , , , , ,
15 Sep 2015
2 Comments

Better Data Modeling: Showing Super & Sub Types in #SQLDevModeler (SDDM)

So this started with a not so innocent tweet from Jeff Smith:

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Well, I sort of answered at least part of the question (eventually),  but along the way the topic of using super types and sub types came up.

Note: If you don’t know what a sub type is, you probably do not do conceptual or logical modeling, so you can stop reading now. Or google it. 🙂

So, in Oracle SQL Developer Data Modeler (SDDM for short, or #SQLDevModeler) you can specify sub type entity relationships in the Logical Model (not relational or physical).

Unless I missed an enhancement (??), you have to do this by:

  1. Create the parent or super type entity
  2. Create the potential sub type entity
  3. Set the Super Type Entity property on the candidate Sub Type Entity to associate it with the parent.
Set Super Type

Set Super Type

Note in the screen that Super Type is set to Employees.

(It sure would be nice if we could just drag and drop to do this, or better just create a new sub type entity “inside” an existing entity)

Once you have set the property, then it will appear in the diagram in one of several ways, depending on the diagram notation you pick. The default is Barker Notation with Box-in-Box Presentation turned on. That looks like this:

Displaying Subtypes in Barker Notation with Box-in-Box

Displaying Sub Types in Barker Notation with Box-in-Box

If you turn Box-in-Box off (right mouse on white space in the diagram then go to Notation), you can drag the sub types outside the super type display and a red line will be displayed to connect them together.

If you switch to Bachman Notation with Box-in-Box off, it looks like this:

Displaying Subtypes in Bachman Notation

Displaying Sub Types in Bachman Notation

Notice the little red lines with arrows pointing into the Employees entity? That is the sub type relationship.

So depending on your personal experience and style, you have a few options to choose from when modeling these type of relationships.

How this converts to a database table design is a whole other (and longer) topic. If you really need to know now, go buy Heli’s SQL Dev Modeler Book and read the section on Inheritance.

Or you could sign up for my online Intro to SDDM (use coupon code GRAZIANO10S for 20% off).

Better Still – do BOTH!

Happy Modeling

Kent

The Data Warrior

P.S. I will be speaking at ECO15 in Raleigh, NC next week. If you are attending be sure to say hi.

Posted in Data Modeling, Oracle, SQL Developer Data Modeler and tagged , , , , , , , ,
09 Jul 2015

You asked for it! #DataVault 2.0 Boot Camp with The #DataWarrior in The Woodlands, Texas

Yes it is on! This is your one chance this year to come to Texas and learned Data Vault

WHEN: Tuesday, September 15, 2015 at 8:30 AM – Friday, September 18, 2015 at 12:00 PM (CDT)

WHERE: The Woodlands, TX

How Much?

Early Bird Price: If you purchase before August 20, 2015 you get this discounted rate of $2,695.00

Standard Price: $2,895.00

This is a small intimate venue, so the total number of attendees is strictly limited.

Event Details

Data Vault 2.0 Boot Camp & Private Certification, hosted and taught by me, The Data Warrior, in the beautiful Woodlands, Texas! (This is the same class as developed and taught by Dan Linstedt)

THIS IS A 3 DAY COURSE. The morning of the 4th day (Friday) will be offered as a 2 hour exam time for those that wish to stay and take the exam. Everyone will have the opportunity to study for a week (instead of taking it the morning of the 18th), and then take the exam on-line.

This class is a 3 day intensive course that covers all aspects of the Data Vault 2.0 System of Business Intelligence. It really teaches you how to be a general practitioner, and enables you to implement Data Vault 2.0 successfully within your organization. CDVP2 (Certified Data Vault 2.0 Practitioner) is available privately for those who complete this course.

Prerequisite: This class will NOT cover DV basics, so you should have Data Vault 1.0 modeling certification or prior DV implementation experience. You should also have read the main Data Vault book – Super Charge Your Data Warehouse.

Here is the agenda for the class:

Day 1:

Business Justification:

– what, why

– where it fits

– who’s using it

Architecture:

– Systems architecture, Loading Architecture,

– managed self service BI (intro)

– where does NoSQL fit?

– integrating with Hadoop

Day 2:

DV2.0 Methodology:

– Agility (SCRUM, PMP, Six Sigma, KPA/KPI), issues, drivers

– team management, project overview

– CMMI & DV2.0 Project

DV2.0 Modeling (review section)

– Basic components, standard structures,

– reference tables

– PIT & Bridge constructs

Day 3:

DV2.0 Implementation

– Set Logic, Performance,

– Data Distribution

– ETL Templates to follow

– Working SQL example code

Review & Q&A

– Open session for questions, answers

– white-boarding

– deep-dive into specific topics

Logistics:

There are many great hotels nearby the event center. Contact me if you need a recommendation.

The event will be held in a state of the art conference room overlooking Lake Woodlands. There are plenty of restaurants and a Whole Foods within easy walking distance for lunch and happy hour (after class of course).

If you are coming from out of town, your best option is to fly into Houston Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH). It is an easy 20-30 minute drive up to The Woodlands

So sign up now to reserve your spot via Data Vault 2.0 Boot Camp & Private Certification with The Data Warrior Tickets, The Woodlands | Eventbrite.r

See you soon!

Kent

The Data Warrior

Posted in Data Modeling, Data Vault and tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment
19 Jun 2015
3 Comments

Do you want a Data Vault 2.0 Bootcamp in The Woodlands, Texas?

Survey time peeps!

Simple Yes/No question:

Would you like me to hold a DV 2.0 Bootcamp (and private certification) west of the Mississippi?

If I set one up a in “America’s Hometown” (really it is even trademarked), The Woodlands, Texas (20 minutes north of Houston Bush Intercontinental Airport), would you come?

The Woodlands Waterway and our concert venue The Pavillion

The beautiful Woodlands Waterway and our concert venue, The Pavilion. You can take a water taxi to a concert!

Since I am an authorized DV 2.0 Trainer, I figure it is time I actually teach a class. And why not in my hometown in Texas?

So what is in a DV 2.0 Bootcamp class?

Three days of intense training on all things DV (followed by a chance to become a Certified DV 2.0 Practitioner).  NOTE: If you are new to Data Vault, you must read the Super Charge book before attending the class.

This class covers what you need to know as a practitioner in the world of Data Warehousing and Business Intelligence.  This is our foundational course.  This is a 3 day (in person) course that covers end-to-end best practices.  Major topics for this class are:

  • Architecture – Including NoSQL, Big Data, Hybrid Systems and Relational stores
  • Methodology – Including CMMI, Six Sigma, Optimization, Automation, and Generation
  • Implementation – Including Performance and Tuning, Set Logic, ELT vs ETL, Parallelism
  • Modeling – Including replacing of surrogates with Hash Keys, data layout, data co-location

This class takes you through the why/what/how of Data Vault 2.0.  It includes the coverage of the business justifications, then follows with the technical descriptions of the architecture, implementation, methodology, and modeling.  Included in the topics are reaching agility, practicing Six Sigma, measuring and optimizing at CMMI level 5, the KPA’s and KPI’s of Data Warehousing, and more.

We also discuss the use of Hadoop, and NoSQL platforms along side the relational world.  The objective is to enrich your understanding of how and when to apply Big Data Solutions.  The course finishes with descriptions on ETL and ELT design time paradigms, including templates, best practices and working SQL.  This class is a prerequisite for anyone wishing to achieve DV2.0 Certified Practitioner status.

When:

Late summer – early fall (depending on interest) of 2015

Cost:

TBD based on how much the space costs me here!

But will definitely be less than $3,000.

Where:

Someplace nice and central in The Woodlands within walking distance to great food and drink.

Apartments over looking the waterway that flows to Lake Woodlands. A great natural setting. Not the usual suburban wasteland.

Apartments over looking the waterway that flows to Lake Woodlands. A great natural setting. Not the usual suburban wasteland.

So who is in?

Please respond in the comments so I can tell if I should start setting something up.

Thanks.

Kent

The Data Warrior

P.S. Since you know I am into fitness, we have great options here to exercise here too. MIles of running trails and even kayaking on the waterway.

The Riva Boathouse were you can rent single and double kayaks by the hour (look close and you find a picture of my son and & on the sign from when they first opened).

The Riva Boathouse were you can rent single and double kayaks by the hour (look close, when you are here, and you find a picture of my son and & I on the sign from when they first opened).

Posted in Data Modeling, Data Vault, Data Warehouse and tagged , , , , , , ,

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