This book provides the foundation and understanding necessary for proper design of databases for today's distributed and multi-database architectures. Introductory chapters help novices understand essential topics such as SQL, relational databases, transaction processing, and deadlock detection, while subsequent sections dealing with homogeneous, distributed databases, heterogeneous multi-databases, and federated databases enable readers to understand the complexities of distributed database design. Packed with over 200 illustrations, 50 equations, and two full chapters of examples.