The first platform-independent guide to the discipline of database administration, this book presents best practices and procedures that apply to any database platform: Oracle, Microsoft, IBM, Sybase, even MySQL and Postgres. It will be an ideal resource for organizations that have deployed multiple databases -- and for professionals who want to move comfortably amongst database platforms. Craig Mullins begins with an up-to-date introduction to the field of database administration, outlining a broad range of DBA roles and responsibilities, and showing how evolving technology has changed the profession. He walks through creating the database environment; data modeling and normalization; database/application design; and change management. Next, he introduces best practices for maximizing availability, security, data integrity, and all aspects of system, database, and application performance. From data warehouse administration to Web-based data access, Database Administration: Practices and Procedures is a single source for authoritative guidance on every facet of database administration. For every database administrator, and for managers responsible for supervising database administrators.