This volume investigates the technical evolution and practical application of relational database technology during the early 1990s. C.J. Date, a recognized authority in database management systems, compiles his professional columns and research papers to provide a comprehensive analysis of the relational model. The text serves as a technical record of the debates, advancements, and theoretical refinements that defined the database industry during this specific four-year period.

Experts and database professionals regard this collection as a foundational reference for understanding the historical development of relational theory. Readers frequently note the technical density of the prose, which is intended for those already familiar with the core principles of database design.