Read me first! Welcome to Data Modeling Made Simple with CA ERwin Data Modeler r8. For many of you, this is your first introduction to data modeling. For others, it might be a refresher, or a guideline on how to use the CA ERwin Data Modeler tool. Whatever your reason for picking up this book, we hope you find it a valuable tool to demystify the terminology and techniques that exist around data modeling in general and the CA ERwin toolset in particular. The goals of this book are to equip you with a practical working knowledge of data modeling concepts and best practices, and how to apply these principles with CA ERwin Data Modeler r8. You'll build many CA ERwin data models along the way, mastering first the fundamentals, and later in the book, the more advanced features of CA ERwin Data Modeler. This book combines real-world experience and best practices with down to earth advice, humor, and even cartoons to help you master the following ten objectives: 1. Understand the basics of data modeling and relational theory, and how to apply these skills using CA ERwin Data Modeler 2. Read a data model of any size and complexity with the same confidence as reading a book 3. Understand the difference between conceptual, logical, and physical models, and how to effectively build these models using CA ERwin's Data Modelers Design