Summary

This text is a comprehensive, practically orientated textbook on the planning and design of relational databases, through project conception to program design. In addition, it contains a substantial section which describes the architecture of information retrieval systems. It takes as its focal points: - relational databases, using programmable database systems (such as Ingres or dBase) - textual databases, using information retrieval systems. Increasingly information professionals are designing and maintaining database applications. But frequently they have not been trained in the strategies, principles and techniques which underpin the design and construction of a robust database application. Using an open learning approach this book aims to assist the reader through numerous case studies as well as self assessment questions and suggested responses.