I use Coda pretty extensively at work, but as my projects get larger, I think my lack of knowledge about data base design is becoming an issue. I can usually get my desired outcome, but I feel like there would be much more optimal and not so convoluted solutions of getting them.
My question is: what are the best resources for learning coda specific database design? Is it the same as something like SQL and I can just read a bunch of SQL books? Or something else?
Good question… 
Have you worked through the examples in the
Coda learning environment?
Basic SQL or Access books might be your best option, but not necessarily a good option. There are major differences between SQL (relational) and Coda databases.
No primary keys. No queries. No joins associated with queries. I typically recommend against getting too caught up in 3rd normal form. No ACID. No database locking and commits.
So there is a lot that you would need to ignore in any traditional database book. People like to say that Coda has a relational database. It does NOT.
Hopefully somebody else on the forum have better info for you.