Relational Databases explores the major advances in relational databases and provides a balanced analysis of the state of the art in relational databases. Topics covered include capture and analysis of data placement requirements; distributed relational database systems; data dependency manipulation in database schemata; and relational database support for computer graphics and computer aided design. This book is divided into three sections and begins with an overview of the theory and practice of distributed systems, using the example of INGRES from Relational Technology as illustration. The following chapters focus on whether relational and relational-like systems actually meet business needs; IBM's Structured Query Language/Data System (SQL/DS); tools for database design and programming; and Secondary Access Methods and the problem of secondary index selection. A number of quantitative models for assessing the performance of physical databases are also described. This text concludes by assessing some of the most conspicuous trends in relational database research and development. This monograph will be of interest to database designers.
