Modern Database Foundations

Modern Database Foundations - From Relational Design to NoSQL, Cloud, and AI Systems introduces the principles, practices, and technologies that underpin today's database systems. The book begins with the foundations of database management, including data modeling, Entity-Relationship design, relational schemas, keys, constraints, and normalization. It then moves into practical SQL skills, MySQL programmability, Python database connectivity, application development, and core database administration.

The later chapters broaden the reader's perspective beyond traditional relational systems, covering security, concurrency, recovery, NoSQL databases, cloud-native database services, and the growing role of databases in AI-powered applications. Topics such as vector databases, Retrieval-Augmented Generation, and AI-assisted database work are introduced as part of the modern data landscape.

Written for students, instructors, and technology professionals, this book emphasizes both conceptual understanding and practical skills. Its goal is to help readers design reliable databases, write effective queries, build database-backed applications, and understand how database systems continue to evolve in the era of cloud computing and artificial intelligence.