In recent years, the no-SQL group of non-relational databases have been picking up a lot of momentum and press. Unfortunately, most users are still picking SQL-relational or non-relational databases impetuously or based on misinformation, rather than analyzing what their application needs.

In this whirlwind presentation, Josh Berkus will go over why you might want a relational database or not, and what kinds or non-relational databases are available and what tasks they do well.

Is database normalization just for database geeks in ivory towers? Is it counter to performance? Or is it critical to make sure that your database application works and doesn't crash?

And what the heck is normalization really, anyway?

Career database geek Josh Berkus will show in terms directly relevant to application developers why normalization is important for performance, maintainability, accuracy, and avoiding downtime. He'll explain what normalization is (and what it isn't) and demonstrate some ways to measure it.