Book excerpt: You can get there Where do you want to go? You might already be working in the information technology field and may be looking to expand your skills. You might be setting out on a new career path. Or, you might want to learn more about exciting opportunities in database management. Wherever you want to go, Introduction to Databases will help you get there. Easy-to-read, practical, and up-to-date, this text not only helps you learn fundamental database design and management concepts, it also helps you master the core competencies and skills you need to succeed in the classroom and in the real world. The book's brief, modular format and variety of built-in learning resources enable you to learn at your own pace and focus your studies. With this book, you will be able to: * Appreciate the key role of data in daily business operations and strategic decisions. * Understand databases, database management systems, and SQL, the software on which they are based, from the ground up. * Know how to gather and organize critical business information, design a database based on this information, and retrieve and modify that information in a useful manner. * Use accepted data modeling procedures to design a relational database. * Master the concept of data normalization and the use of standard normalization rules. * Explore critical real-world issues including application integration and securing data against disclosure and loss. Wiley Pathways helps you achieve your goals Not every student is on the same path, but every student wants to succeed. The Information Technology series in the new Wiley Pathways imprint helps you achieve your goals. The books in this series--Introduction to Databases, Introduction to Programming Using Visual Basic, Introduction to Operating Systems, Networking Basics, Windows Network Administration, Network Security Fundamentals, and PC Hardware Essentials--offer a coordinated information technology curriculum. Learn more at www.wiley.com/go/pathways