The book starts out on familiar ground, outlining the basics of relational databases, such as SQL and query optimization. After providing this foundation, the book quickly ventures into more cutting-edge turf, escorting readers through the emerging world of object-oriented databases (a much richer field, where the rules of optimization are not yet agreed upon). The guide delves into other areas where developers are likely to have to adopt a do-it-yourself approach to database design, including distributed database systems; multi-database systems, where data from several databases needs to be joined as efficiently as possible; and parallel-processing systems, where queries can be processed in parallel.
Subsequent chapters cover fuzzy logic queries and searching strategies that work with text and image databases. Each chapter provides exercises for the reader, making this a good textbook for students or professionals who need an authoritative source on the theory of database design.