Database Systems: A Pragmatic Approach

This text provides a comprehensive, yet concise introduction to database systems. It discusses the database as an essential component of a software system, as well as a valuable, mission critical corporate resource. The book is based on lecture notes that have been tested and proven over several years, with outstanding results. It also exemplifies mastery of the technique of combining and balancing theory with practice, to give students their best chances at success.


The book discusses concepts, principles, design, implementation, and management issues of databases. Each chapter is organized systematically into brief, reader-friendly sections, with itemization of the important points to be remembered. It adopts a methodical and pragmatic approach to solving database systems problems. Diagrams and illustrations also sum up the salient points to enhance learning. Additionally, the book includes a number of Foster s original methodologies that add clarity and creativity to the database modeling and design experience, while making a novel contribution to the discipline.


Upholding his aim for brevity, comprehensive coverage, and relevance, Foster s practical and methodical discussion style gets straight to the salient issues, and avoids unnecessary fluff as well as an overkill of theoretical calculations. Readers should find this approach useful in their respective needs.


Brief Contents:


Division A: Preliminary Topics

1. Introduction to Database Systems

2. The Database System Environment


Division B: The Relational Database Model

3. The Relational Model

4. Integrity Rules and Normalization

5. Database Modeling and Design

6. Database User Interface Design

7. Relational Algebra

8. Relational Calculus

9. Relational System a Closer Look



Division C: Structured Query Language (SQL)

10. Overview of SQL

11. SQL Definition Statements

12. SQL Data Manipulation Statements

13. Logical Views and Security

14. The System Catalog

15. Some Limitations of SQL



Division D: Some Commonly Used DBMS Suites

16. Overview of Oracle

17. Overview of DB2

18. Overview of Microsoft SQL Server

19. Overview of Gupta Team Developer and MySQL

20. Overview of Borland Delphi



Division E: Advanced Topics

21. Database Administration

22. Distributed Database Systems

23. Object Databases

24. Data Warehousing and Information Extraction

25. Web-Accessible Databases



Division F: Final Preparations

26. Sample Exercises and Examination Questions



Division G: Appendices

Appendix-1: Review of Trees

Appendix-2: Review of Hashing

Appendix-3: Review of Information Gathering Techniques