This book is intended to be used as a text in introductory database courses for information systems students at either the undergraduate or graduate level.The text is organized around the database development life cycle which provides the framework for discussing conceptual and implementation design, database imple-mentation, and the management environment. The topics are set in a framework of strategic and tactical management issues that include database planning, DBMS selection database administration, security and integrity, and distributed databases. Table of Contents Preface. Databases and Their Context. Database Design. Relational Database Implementation. Managing the Database Environment. Advanced Topics. Legacy Database Systems. Glossary. Bibliography. Index.