Differing from other books on the subject, this one uses the framework of constraint databases to provide a natural and powerful generalization of relational databases. An important theme running through the text is showing how relational databases can smoothly develop into constraint databases, without sacrificing any of the benefits of relational databases whilst gaining new advantages. Peter Revesz begins by discussing data models and how queries may be addressed to them. From here, he develops the theory of relational and constraint databases, including Datalog and the relational...

PurposeandGoals This textbook provides comprehensive coverage of constraint databases. The p- mary audience of the book is advanced undergraduate and beginning graduate students. For them the extensive set of exercises at the end of each chapter will be useful. The text and the exercises assume as prerequisite only basic discrete ma- ematics, linear algebra, and programming knowledge. Many database experts will also ?nd the bibliographic notes after each chapter a valuable reference for further reading. For both students and database experts the sample systems discussed in Chapters 18 20, as...

Introduced forty years ago, relational databases proved unusually succe- ful and durable. However, relational database systems were not designed for modern applications and computers. As a result, specialized database systems now proliferate trying to capture various pieces of the database market. Database research is pulled into di?erent directions, and speci- ized database conferences are created. Yet the current chaos in databases is likely only temporary because every technology, including databases, becomes standardized over time. The history of databases shows periods of chaos followed...