Database Management System by Wikipedia This is a comprehensive overview of the concept and history of database management systems.
It also provides links to outside information sources about database management systems, such as vendor websites. It does not give any very detailed descriptions of particular individual database management systems.
Database Management Systems by Raghu Ramakrishnan and Johannes Gehrke These slides thoroughly outline every chapter of the popular textbook written by Ramakrishnan and Gerke.
They are useful in identifying and terms, concepts, and other topics that are important to the consideration of database management systems. It is necessary to refer to the textbook itself, however, to find a detailed explanation of these terms and concepts.
A Short Database History by John Vaughn This gives a brief history of databases and DBMS. It does a good job of naming specific vendors and products that played key roles in the development of DBMS. It also gives some interesting projections on the future of database management systems.
Its explanation of concepts and processes within database management systems is not very thorough, however.
Object-Oriented Database Management Systems Revisiteds by Modus Operandi Inc. This article examines the development and application of Object-Oriented Database Management Systems.
It is very thorough and goes into great technical detail; it is not directed towards novices.
Relational Database Management Systems by Wikipedia This encyclopedia entry explains the basi concept of a relational database management system.
Although it is quite brief, it provides links to a number of useful websites. One of these connects to the home page of Alphora, an example of a truly relational database management system.
The 1995 SQL Reunion: People, Projects, and Politics edited by Paul McJones This is a collection of interviews, oral histories and other accounts of the development of SQL and related DBMS products.
It gives some interesting personal insights to the history of software development; it focuses not only on the technical and scientific aspects of the history, but also on the people involved. Because much of the material on this website transcribed oral history, it is not always easy to follow.
It is necessary to refer to the textbook itself, however, to find a detailed explanation of these terms and concepts.
Choosing a Database Management System by Uche Ogbuji This article gives some general guidelines in choosing a DBMS appropriate for particular organizations.
It focuses on general principles, explaining both the concept and history of database management systems.
The article does not cover every type of DBMS, neither does it give advice about specific products available in the DBMS market.
Philip and Alex's Guide to Web Publishing: Chapter 12 by Philip Greenspun This chapter is devoted to Database management systems. It discusses pros and cons of various systems in some detail.
Its main focus is on relational database management systems, and it does not go in depth on any other kind of DBMS.
Choosing a DBMS for Data Warehousing by William McKnight This article discusses database management systems in the context of data warehousing. It evaluates two systems, Sybase IQ and Teradata as specific case studies;
its conclusion favors Teradata. The article is thorough and detailed in its evaluation.
The narrowness of the article's focus may be considered both a strength and a weakness.
Database Trends and Applications by Craig S. Mullins This article gives a useful explanation of various types of database management systems and describes the specific situations that these various systems would best fit.
This article is a good introductory overview; it does not provide detailed studies of the various database management systems.
Optimize What You Know About Databases by Curt A. Monash This article is useful in explaining the current and projected future development of database management systems.
It is very specific in identifying applications best suited to particular kinds of systems and names some specific relevant vendors as well.
It does not consider smaller or less well-known vendors.
MySQL, Still tomorrow's contender? by Ian Gilfillan This article discusses the developments of MySQL, particularly its efforts to compete with closed source systems like Oracle and Microsoft.
It concludes that MySQL will be a serious competitor well into the future, and that closed source systems have a lot to learn from it.
This article is rather narrow in its focus, but it offers an interesting projection for the future of database management systems.
IMS Family by IBM This is IBM's website explaining the IMS a very popular hierarchical DBMS. This site is extremely informative and provides numerous links to related websites.
It does not give much information about possible drawbacks to this system.
MYSQL by MySQL This is the official website for MySQL, an open source DBMS. It provides standard information about the products connected with MySQL.
It does not provide as many links or as much information as other closed source database management systems.
Access 2003 Product Information by Microsoft This gives general information about Microsoft's Access and explains in detail its many desirable features.
Since this is a business website, it does not give any information about the DBMS's possible flaws or drawbacks.