Database Systems Engineering

Database Systems Engineering provides the reader with a coherent view of the range of issues involved in designing, developing and implementing database systems - not usually found together in one book.
The book sets out to show how straightforward techniques for logical and physical design can be used to reason about the many complex issues and trade-offs involved in designing and implementing data-intensive systems.
Database Systems Engineering addresses the design issues involved in developing effective data- and knowledge-based systems for advanced application areas such as engineering, geographic, distributed and multimedia systems; and how to muster adequate performance and reliability to support such mission-critical applications.
Also, it provides a thorough understanding of the fundamental techniques and algorithms required for advanced systems architectures (such as object-oriented, extended-relational and distributed database systems).
Database Systems Engineering is ideal for computing and information systems students, particularly those studying an advanced database course. Its thorough coverage of physical design and performance issues, and of the new generation of extended-relational and object-oriented systems ensures that it will also be of interest to database designers and programmers working in industry.

Dr Nick Ryan is a lecturer in the Computing Laboratory at the University of Kent at Canterbury.