This textbook provides a foundation to understand database technology supporting enterprise computing concerns such as those faced by Paul Hong. As a new student of database management, you first need to understand the fundamental concepts of database management and the relational data model. Then you need to master skills in database design and database application development. This textbook provides tools to help you understand relational databases and acquire skills to solve basic and advanced problems in query formulation, data modeling, normalization, application data requirements, and customization of database applications.

After establishing these skills, you are ready to study the organizational context, role of database specialists, and the processing environments in which databases are used. Students will learn about decision making needs, accountability requirements, organization structures, and roles of database specialists associated with databases and database technology. For environments, this textbook presents the fundamental database technologies in each processing environment and relates these technologies to new advances in electronic commerce and enterprise computing. You will learn the vocabulary, architectures, and design issues of database technology that provide a background for advanced study of individual database management systems, electronic commerce applications, and enterprise computing.