front matter
For years, we have taught courses on database management systems, and one recurring challenge we’ve noticed is the overwhelming difficulty students have with conventional textbooks. These materials, while comprehensive, often feel tedious and painful for students to chew through, making the learning process more daunting than it needs to be.
Our teaching experiences led us to envision a different kind of resource—one that makes the principles of relational database design more approachable and engaging. That opportunity came when Dr. Daniel Zingaro, an editor at Manning and a colleague from the University of Toronto Mississauga, reached out to us. Daniel asked whether we would be interested in writing a book that could bring these concepts to life in a way that learners could better grasp and enjoy.
The result is Grokking Relational Database Design, a book that focuses not just on the technicalities but also on how to teach them effectively, emphasizing clarity, real-world relevance, and a step-by-step approach. Whether you’re new to the field or seeking a refresher on concepts you learned years ago, this book is designed for you.