1.1. Introduction

The area of database design is very important in relational processes. Much has been written on this subject including entire textbooks and thousands of technical papers. No pretenses are made about the thoroughness of this very important subject in these pages. Rather, an attempt is made to provide a quick-start introduction for those readers unfamiliar with the issues and techniques of basic design principles. Readers needing more information are referred to the references listed in the back of this book.