Database Design for Mere Mortals™: A Hands-On Guide to Relational Database Design, Second Edition

Why This Terminology Is Important

Relational database design has its own unique set of terms, just as any other profession, trade, or discipline. Here are three good reasons why it's important for you to learn these terms.

1. They are used to express and define the special ideas and concepts of the relational database model. Much of the terminology is derived from the mathematical branches of set theory and first-order predicate logic, which, as you already know, form the basis of the relational database model.

2. They are used to express and define the database-design process itself. The design process becomes clearer and much easier to understand once you know these terms.

3. They are used anywhere a relational database or RDBMS is discussed. ...