For over 25 years, C. J. Dates An Introduction to Database Systems has been the authoritative resource for readers interested in gaining insight into and understanding of the principles of database systems. This exciting revision continues to provide a solid grounding in the foundations of database technology and to provide some ideas as to how the field is likely to develop in the future. The material is organized into six major parts. Part I provides a broad introduction to the concepts of database systems in general and relational systems in particular. Part II consists of a careful description of the relational model, which is the theoretical foundation for the database field as a whole. Part III discusses the general theory of database design. Part IV is concerned with transaction management. Part V shows how relational concepts are relevant to a variety of further aspects of database technology-security, distributed databases, temporal data, decision support, and so on. Finally, Part VI describes the impact of object technology on database systems. This Seventh Edition of An Introduction to Database Systems features widely rewritten material to improve and amplify treatment of several topics, including: *Revised and expanded material on the relational model, particularly the sections on types (domains), relation values vs. relation variables, integrity, predicates, and views * New material on relation-valued attributes, denormalization, orthogonal design, and alternative approaches to semantic modeling (including "business rules") * Complete new chapters covering type inheritance, decision support, and temporal databases * Two new appendixes, one on detail of SQL and one on SQL3 Readers of this book will gain a strong working knowledge of the overall structure, concepts, and objectives of database systems and will become familiar with the theoretical principles underlying the construction of such systems. 0201385902B04062001
The newest edition of the classic
An Introduction to Database Systems incorporates the latest developments in relational databases, including semantic modelling, decision support and temporal modelling.
There's better information on distributed databases, security, and the mathematics of relational databases, too. With the same strong coverage of fundamental theory that made its predecessors stand out, this book ranks as the definitive textbook for those studying database systems.
This is an extraordinarily academic book. In his preface, C. J. Date goes so far as to lament having to use Structured Query Language (SQL) in some of his examples because it's "so far from being a true embodiment of relational principles." What's more, he writes in a very academic style, peppering his heavily footnoted prose with mathematical expressions and words like "relevar" and "tuple." The academic style and highbrow language isn't a bad thing, since this book deals with complicated, largely abstract phenomena in depth.
Be aware that An Introduction to Database Systems is a far cry from the highly graphical, problem-focused books that target the community of commercial database developers, and as such requires more careful study. This book is about theories, concepts and ideals rather than problems, solutions and specific implementations. As such, it will enable you to become a better database programmer--but only if you supplement it with practical guides and hands-on experience. --David Wall
