The material in this book is the result of courses given at Stanford University on Database and File Structures since 1971. Initially little coherent published material
was available, even though a large number of references could be cited. In particular,
no clear definition of the concept of a schema was available. Now many practical and
scholarly sources for material exist but problems of emphasis and analysis remain.
This book brings together knowledge in the area of database management in
a structured form suitable for teaching and reference. The first edition has found
broad acceptance in course sequences where quantitative approaches are stressed.
Unintended, but gratifying, is the place this book has found as a programmer's
reference and analysis guide.