Table of Contents - August 1995 Vol. 8 No. 9

Features

The Truth About OLAP by Maurice Frank
The use of the term OLAP (on-line analytical processing) has grown dramatically over the last two years. Its meaning has consequently been diluted and blurred. Most of the key aspects of the technology -- generically known as multidimensional database analysis -- emerged more than a decade ago in the decision-support system market, but new techniques and products have followed. DBMS Technical Editor Maurice Frank reviews the basics of multidimensional databases and OLAP with an emphasis on new trends and products. DBMS contributor Peter Brooks explains the role of relational DBMSs in OLAP applications. Also, on page 96, "Server Side" guest columnist Dan Bulos offers guidelines for evaluating OLAP servers.

Choosing the Right Client/Server Operating System by Colin White
For many developers of database-related applications, the operating systems market is an alphabet soup of acronyms and code words. The variety of hardware and software choices available today makes the selection of a client/server operating system a difficult one. In this article, DBMS expert Colin White discusses the factors involved in selecting a client/server operating system, and examines the major features of OS/2, Windows and Windows NT, and Unix.

Second-Generation Client/Server by Herb Edelstein
This article, written by database expert Herb Edelstein, focuses on the promise and corresponding challenges in implementing the middleware infrastructures, messaging, remote procedure calls, and transaction processing of multitier systems.

Data Modeling Rules of Thumb by George Tillmann
Part 4 of our series on logical data modeling provides guidelines and "best practices" to support the successful completion of the logical data model -- while reducing or eliminating roadblocks and problems.

Columns

From the Editor by David M. Kalman (IBM takes Notes in pursuit of groupware.)

Enterprise C/S by Judith Hurwitz (The role of object-oriented Cobol in your organization.)

SQL Explorer by Joe Celko (Joe explains how to train computers to make decisions, and provides a new SQL puzzle.)

C/S Developer by David Linthicum (Deploying applications using new partitioning tools such as Dynasty and Forte.)

Desktop DBMS by Tom Spitzer (The third-party VB add-ons that belong in every developer's toolbox.)

Server Side by Dan Bulos (Comprehensive guidelines for evaluating OLAP servers.)

Products

Hands-On Reviews Edited by Marjorie Thorne and Clara H. Parkes

DBGeneral Activity Monitor for Oracle, Bradmark's Windows-based performance monitor, gives DBAs a real-time look into Oracle server statistics.

Cast Software's Cast Workbench 2.1 provides seven tools that assist developers in debugging, coding, testing, and documenting their SQL Server database applications.

Soft Notes, new client/server database products and upgrades.

Interview

Powersoft's CEO Mitchell Kertzman on maintaining mindshare and marketshare after the merger with Sybase.

Coming Next Month

An in-depth study of the leading workgroup database servers; the conclusion of our logical data modeling series; and a look at successful MPP installations.

Dedication

This issue is dedicated to the newest member of the DBMS family: Mitchell James Licata (75K GIF).

Previous Tables of Contents for 1995: [April] [May] [June] [July]

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Updated Monday July 17, 1995