London’s musical life 1660–1750: database management in an era of technological change

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

The Register of Music in London Newspapers 1660–1750 is a large-scale project that has been undertaken during a period that has seen many advances in both computer hardware and software: the storage and processing capabilities of hardware have improved out of all recognition, and this has been matched by the enhanced functionality and efficiency of database management software. Migration of the data set to successive versions of both hardware and software has ensured that almost twenty years after its inception the Register of Music is still in a usable and useful form. Moreover, careful attention to the design of the database on which the project is based has ensured that users of the Register can obtain the information they require in more efficient ways than were envisaged when the project was initiated. As developments in database technology have been made, a strategy of active data management involving ongoing attention to the design of the database on which the project is based has enabled the Register to take advantage of these advances and improve the functionality that it offers.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)221–238
Number of pages18
JournalHistory and Computing
Volume13
Issue number3
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2006

Keywords

  • data migration
  • database management
  • concerts

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