Database Reference
In-Depth Information
9.3 Summary and Concluding Remarks
Here is a summary of what has been covered in this chapter:
•
The benchmarks for a relational database system may be defined
in terms of the data structure requirements, the data integrity
requirements, and the data manipulation requirements.
•
Over the years, the database systems industry has embraced Codd's
benchmarks (first introduced in 1982 and subsequently revised
in 1985) as the standards for relational DBMS suites. The revised
standards also include Codd's twelve rules and Date's zero-rule.
•
Even though these standards are more than two decades old, they
still remain binding on the industry. In fact, many of the smaller
DBMS products still struggle to meet them.
Although Codd died in 2003, his legacy will no doubt continue to live and guide
the field of database systems well into the foreseeable future. Date, a colleague of Codd,
continues to be a renowned author and consultant in the field. So thankfully, we are in
good hands.
9.4 Review Questions
1.
Describe in your own words, what is meant by a relational
DBMS.
2.
Conduct a critical evaluation and comparative analysis of
three leading DBMS products that you are familiar with. Use
Codd's revised definition of a relational database system as
your benchmark.
3.
Conduct a critical evaluation of E.F. Codd's contribution to the
field of database systems.
9.5 References
[Codd, 1982] Codd, Edgar F. “Relational Database: A Practical Foundation for
Productivity,”
Communications of the ACM,
Vol. 25, Issue 2, February 1982
.
pp. 109-117.
[Codd, 1985] Codd, Edgar F. “Is Your DBMS Really Relational?” and “Does Your DBMS
Run By the Rules?”
ComputerWorld
, October 14 and October 21, 1985.
[Date, 1990] Date, Christopher J.
Introduction to Database Systems
Vol. I 5
th
ed. Menlo
Park, California: Addison-Wesley, 1990. See Chapter 15.
