This well-written and well-organized book deals with the IDMS software specifically, but it also contains useful guidelines and explanations for the effective use of database management systems in general. It is organized into three sections: “Logical Database Design,” on the analysis and design methodology essential to database implementation; “Physical Database Design,” on those physical aspects essential to effective implementation; and “Database Access and Maintenance,” which covers the data manipulation language, currency, backup and recovery, and special utilities such as Automatic Systems Facility and OnLine Query.

The author provides extensive supporting appendices and a glossary as well as a comprehensive index. The diagrams and sample code are clear and abundant. The book includes no references or bibliographic notes; however, the author does indicate that much of his material developed out of responses to and work done with the IDMS User Association.

This book is appropriate for both novice and experienced IDMS users. It should serve as a tutorial for the inexperienced and as a reference for the more experienced. The author explains and analyzes the numerous example problems. The work would be quite useful as a textbook in an introductory or intermediate database class, and it could also be used for independent study. This well-rounded analysis of the IDMS system in an IBM environment is also a worthwhile general treatment of the principles and application of database management systems.