A clear explanation of relational databases and the rules that govern them

Deploying a relational database on almost any scale requires a thorough understanding of the fundamental concepts and rules that govern their behavior. This excerpt from Get It Done With MySQL 5, written by Arthur Fuller and Peter Brawley, explains the fundamental concepts underlying relational databases, including sets, tables, Codd's 12 Rules, normalization, and the limits of the relational model. No matter which database application software you choose, understanding these concepts is essential before deploying any relational database.