Database Systems: A Pragmatic Approach, 2nd Edition

This book provides a comprehensive, yet concise introduction to database systems, with special emphasis on the relational database model. The book discusses the database as an essential component of a software system, as well as a valuable, mission critical corporate resource. New in this second edition is updated SQL content covering the latest release of the Oracle Database Management System along with a reorganized sequence of the topics which is more useful for teaching. Also included are revised and additional illustrations, as well as a new chapter on using relational databases to anchor large, complex management support systems. There is also added reference content in the appendixes.

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 chance 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 Elvis Foster’s original methodologies that add clarity and creativity to the database modeling and design experience, while making a novel contribution to the discipline. These features combine to make Database Systems: A Pragmatic Approach an excellent textbook for students and reader-friendly resource on database theory for the practitioner.

Table of Contents

Part A: Preliminary Topics
Chapter 1: Introduction to Database Systems
Chapter 2: The Database System Environment

Part B: The Relational Database Model
Chapter 3: The Relational Model
Chapter 4: Integrity Rules and Normalization
Chapter 5: Database Modeling and Design
Chapter 6: Database User Interface Design
Chapter 7: Relational Algebra
Chapter 8: Relational Calculus
Chapter 9: Reflective Look at the Relational Database Model

Part C: The Structured Query Language
Chapter 10: Overview of SQL
Chapter 11: SQL Data Definition Statements
Chapter 12: SQL Data Manipulation Statements
Chapter 13: Logical Views and System Security
Chapter 14: The System Catalog
Chapter 15: Some Limitations of SQL

Part D: Advanced Topics
Chapter 16: Database Administration
Chapter 17: Distributed Database Systems
Chapter 18: Object Databases
Chapter 19: Data Warehousing
Chapter 20: Web-Accessible Databases
Chapter 21: Using Database Systems to Anchor Management Support Systems

Part E: Overview of Selected DBMS Suites
Chapter 22: Overview of Oracle
Chapter 23: Overview of DB2
Chapter 24: Overview of MySQL
Chapter 25: Overview of Microsoft SQL Server

Part F: Appendices
APPENDIX A1: Review of Trees
APPENDIX A2: Review of Hashing
APPENDIX A3: Review of Information-Gathering Techniques
APPENDIX A4: BNF Syntax for Selected SQL Statements
APPENDIX A5: Sample Exercises and Examination Questions