Book excerpt: Database Design and Programming for DB2/400 is a comprehensive introduction to the design and implementation of application databases on IBM's AS/400. This clear and authoritative text teaches you the following essential skills: Coding Data Description Specifications (DDS) for physical and logical files, entering CL commands to create DB2/400 files from DDS, using field reference files, accessing database files from RPG IV, RPG/400, COBOL/400, and other AS/400 high-level languages, the Relational Database Model as a foundation for DB2/400 and database design, practical database design and data modeling, using SQL/400 to define and access database files, advanced DB2/400 features (including commitment control, the Open Query File command, database constraints, triggers, distributed database access, and others), database security, and data backup and recovery. Paul Conte, a leading DB2/400 authority with extensive application development experience, provides easy-to-follow instruction in the proper way to create efficient, flexible databases on the AS/400. His explanations and advice assure that you'll handle your design and coding challenges with confidence and professional-level techniques. This book provides complete coverage of both DDS, the traditional approach to defining DB2/400 files, and of SQL/400, the industry-standard database language that is IBM's strategic language for the future of DB2/400. With this text, you can be sure of handling not only existing application databases, but also developing new SQL/400 databases. These skills will put you in the forefront of AS/400 application developers. Database Design and Programming for DB2/400 also provides an excellentintroduction to practical database design techniques. You get a solid introduction to the relational database model, which underlies the whole DB2/400 architecture and the SQL language. On that foundation, the book explains a step-by-step method of modeling an organization's database requirements and developing a design for the necessary database files. The text is designed for college-level courses and for independent study. Each chapter has numerous examples and exercises. The material is organized into four parts - DDS, database design, SQL, and advanced DB2/400 features - so you can focus on particular topics as needed. Appendices provide extensive reference material. You can use the book as your single DB2/400 resource, eliminating the need for many IBM manuals. You will find Database Design and Programming for DB2/400 immediately useful, whether you're just beginning to learn DB2/400 or you are an experienced developer. You will turn to this book time and time again for advice on the best way to design and program DB2/400 databases.